Brazil points to expansion of investigations into digital militias

The case, launched in July 2021, covers a number of investigations, including the coup plot to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office in January 2023, the sale of jewelry by foreign authorities and the case of the forgery of a Covid-19 vaccination certificate.

De Moraes reiterated that the delay was necessary “to continue the investigations, as the conclusion of the procedure is still pending”.

On June 6, the Federal Police sent a letter to the STF judge asking for more time to pursue the case.

According to analysts, digital militia groups are non-existent people and profiles created with the aim of spreading false information and lies in favor of a political party, ideologies and social issues.

In October, De Moraes authorized the transfer of the final report of the Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) into the coup attempts of January 8, 2023, and all evidence contained therein to the Commission of Inquiry on Digital Militias.

This document marked the end of the CPMI’s work and indicted 61 people, including former President Jair Bolsonaro.

It includes 1,300 pages of digital files, including images, videos and several documents supporting the allegations.

It calls for former President Bolsonaro (2019-2022) to be charged with forming a criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, deposing a lawfully established government and using measures to hinder the free exercise of political rights.

“Democracy was under attack. The masses were manipulated with hate speech. Digital militiamen were used to spread fear, disqualify opponents and promote attacks on the electoral system,” Senator Eliziane Gama claimed when reading the report.

Gama acknowledged that “attempts have been made to manipulate, obstruct and annul the elections. And they are using freedom of expression to suppress expression.”

The statement reiterates that Bolsonaro is the “intellectual and moral author” of the anti-democratic events of January 8, 2023, a date deeply rooted in national history.

Demanding military intervention and rejecting Lula’s inauguration, extremist groups supporting the far-right politician stormed and looted the headquarters of the National Congress, the Supreme Federal Court and the President’s Office in the capital.

ef/omr/rgh/ocs