The Minister of Justice and Public Security of Brazil, Sergio Moro, announced on Friday April 24 his resignation due "Political interference" of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro in court cases.
"I will start to gather my things and send my resignation letter"said Sergio Moro, 47, after a long speech in which he declared that the president had "Violated the promise of carte blanche" given to agree to enter government in January 2019.
The evocation of"Political interference" refers in particular to the dismissal, by Mr Bolsonaro, of one of the trusted men of Sergio Moro, the chief of the federal police, the main investigative body under the supervision of his ministry. "The autonomy of the federal police is a fundamental value which must be preserved in the rule of law", he insisted during his speech.
Pan concerts in many cities
As he left the room where he delivered his speech, Sergio Moro was applauded by officials from his ministry and the announcement of his resignation was greeted by a concert of saucepans in many Brazilian cities. This resignation was also very badly received by the markets, the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange falling by more than 8% at midday.
The fact that Sergio Moro had agreed to join the Jair Bolsonaro government had been seen as a risky gamble. But many now see him as a serious candidate for the 2022 presidential election. Polls make him a favorite for a duel with the one who got him started in politics.
"Lava Jato" and Lula's conviction
Made famous by his hard work in the “Lava Jato” anti-corruption mega-operation (express washing), the former judge is considered a hero by many Brazilians, even if his impartiality was seriously questioned the year latest.
Unraveling a vast system of embezzlement of Petrobras, the magistrate did not hesitate to send to prison practically all the former directors of the state oil group, then the bosses of the most powerful construction groups who paid them commissions in exchange for contracts .
This will lead him to the dirty money fueling the campaigns of most political parties in Brazil. He will not hesitate to send prominent politicians, right and left, behind bars.
His main feat in arms: the heavy conviction at first instance of ex-left president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who served eighteen months in prison before being released in November. But the publication in June by the investigation site The Intercept Brasil Messages from the days when he was a judge indicating maneuvers with prosecutors to prevent the icon of the left from returning to power have tarnished his image.
Described by his peers as a competent and determined magistrate, Sergio Moro has also been criticized for his recurrent use of pre-trial detention and agreements with defendants to obtain their confessions.
