The only one free, Jefferson praises JB's "common sense".
Roberto Jefferson, the only convicted individual in the Criminal Action 470 case who has not yet received an arrest warrant, despite having exhausted all appeal options, praises the actions of the president of the Supreme Federal Court, Joaquim Barbosa, and affirms that the decision regarding his request for house arrest, due to health reasons, should not be rushed by the rapporteur; "Justice should never be rushed," he states; according to him, Barbosa "has been acting with common sense"; the former congressman believes his warrant could be issued this week.
Rio 247 – From his home in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, in the municipality of Levy Gasparian, former congressman Roberto Jefferson said that the decision regarding his case should not be made hastily and praised the actions of the president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Joaquim Barbosa. Jefferson is the only person convicted in Criminal Action 470 who has not yet received an arrest warrant. The first warrants were issued three months ago.
"Justice should not rush," said Roberto Jefferson, according to a report in Folha de S. Paulo. He believes "the minister is carefully considering" the request made by his lawyers for him to serve house arrest due to health reasons. The former president of the PTB underwent surgery to remove pancreatic cancer and is currently on a strict diet.
"The minister is considering this. It seems to me that he has been acting sensibly; he worked quickly to ensure the case was judged," he added. According to his defense, Jefferson would not be able to afford essential food in prison, such as smoked salmon and royal jelly. He stated that a decision on his case should be reached this week.
Roberto Jefferson reiterated that he will not organize campaigns to raise funds to pay his fine. "The PTB doesn't have a culture of social fundraising, of campaigning in the media or on the internet. We don't have that kind of engaged activism," he declared. He says he will turn to party colleagues, such as former president Fernando Collor de Mello, to help him raise the R$720 he needs to pay, in addition to selling an office in Rio.