DPU submits Eduardo Bolsonaro's defense to the STF without hearing from the congressman.
The Public Defender's Office (DPU) states to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) that the defense is "merely formal" due to a lack of contact with the congressman, who is in the USA.
247 - The Federal Public Defender's Office (DPU) is expected to file this Friday (31) with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) the defense of federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), accused of coercion within the scope of investigations into the attempted coup d'état and his activities in the United States. According to the CNN BrazilThe document will be purely formal, as the agency was unable to contact the parliamentarian to discuss the legal strategy before sending it.
Moraes denies request for rogatory letter.
The Public Defender's Office (DPU) was appointed to represent the congressman by order of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, the rapporteur for the case at the Supreme Court. Last week, the institution requested that Eduardo Bolsonaro be notified of the indictment via rogatory letter—a means of communication between courts in different countries—allowing him to choose a private lawyer.
The minister, however, rejected the request and maintained the Public Defender's Office as responsible for the defense, arguing that the notification made by public notice was valid. Moraes also highlighted that the parliamentarian chose not to respond within the legal deadline.
Defense deemed "merely formal," says Public Defender's Office.
In a communication sent to the Supreme Federal Court (STF), the Public Defender's Office (DPU) stated that, having been unable to locate Eduardo Bolsonaro, the defense presented was "merely formal" and "did not constitute a true defense." The document only fulfills procedural requirements, without representing effective action on behalf of the congressman.
The lack of dialogue between the Public Defender's Office and the accused could open the door to future challenges. Allies of Eduardo Bolsonaro believe the situation could be used to question the validity of the process, arguing that the congressman was prevented from fully exercising his right to a fair trial.
The trial will be decided by Flávio Dino.
With the submission of the legal defense, the case will be forwarded to the First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to indict the congressman. The date of the trial will be set by the panel's president, Justice Flávio Dino.
The Attorney General's Office (PGR) accuses Eduardo Bolsonaro and blogger Paulo Figueiredo of attempting to coerce the Judiciary and obstruct investigations into the coup plot that sought to undermine the country's democratic institutions.
