Theory: Inquiry is not a premature judgment.
In authorizing the opening of investigations against those mentioned in Janot's List, Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki, rapporteur for the investigations, noted that the measure does not represent a premature judgment on the authorship and materiality of the crime; in all rulings, the Justice cites the politicians as "possibly implicated" in the criminal complaint filed by Rodrigo Janot; in authorizing the opening of the investigations, Teori also orders the lifting of the confidentiality of the proceedings, the attachment of documents already collected, personal testimony from those mentioned, and the carrying out of specific investigations.
Paulo Victor Chagas, from Agência Brasil - In the document from the Attorney General's Office (PGR) requesting the opening of investigations into individuals mentioned in plea bargain testimonies in Operation Lava Jato, which investigates the misappropriation of funds from Petrobras, Minister Teori Zavascki of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), in his decisions regarding the PGR's requests, states that the opening of an investigation does not represent a premature judgment on the authorship and materiality of the crime.
"Such testimonies do not, in themselves, constitute evidence, especially since, according to express normative provisions, no conviction will be handed down based solely on the statements of a cooperating agent," Teori wrote.
The minister's decisions comply with the Attorney General's request regarding the "alleged practice of the crimes of aggravated passive corruption and money laundering." In all the rulings, the minister cites the politicians as "possibly implicated" in the criminal complaint filed by the Attorney General's office. In authorizing the opening of the investigations, Teori also orders the lifting of confidentiality on the proceedings, the attachment of documents already collected, the re-filing of the case, as well as the personal testimony of those cited and the carrying out of specific investigations.
In the list made public on Friday (6) by Minister Teori, PP has the largest number of politicians mentioned in the Lava Jato plea bargain testimonies and the number of open investigations. Of the 21 investigation requests accepted by the minister, ten involve PP parliamentarians and former deputies, including João Alberto Pizzolatti Júnior (PP-SC), with four petitions accepted in the STF.
In a public statement, the PP (Progressive Party) says it does not condone illegal acts and trusts in the justice system's investigation to ensure the truth prevails in the Lava Jato Operation investigations. The president of the PP, Senator Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI), who will also be investigated, is expected to comment once he has reviewed the case files.