The Legislative Assembly of Paraíba (ALPB) overturned the precautionary measures imposed by the Electoral Court against state deputy Caio Roberto (MDB), the target of a Federal Police operation in Paraíba. The deputy would wear an electronic ankle bracelet. The extraordinary session took place this Thursday (12).
The Assembly plenary voted to overturn the following precautions: electronic monitoring, home confinement and the prohibition of being absent from the cities of Greater João Pessoa, following the understanding that free parliamentary exercise must be preserved. The deputies understood that these measures violated this principle.
As the precautionary measures were imposed on a deputy, who has the prerogative of parliamentary immunity, it is customary for the Legislative Assembly, within 24 hours, to evaluate the continuity of these measures after the House is officially officiated by the Regional Electoral Court of Paraíba (TRE-PB).
Before voting in an extraordinary session, the agenda was analyzed by the Constitution and Justice Committee of the Assembly, which unanimously followed the vote of rapporteur Anderson Monteiro (PV) to overturn the precautionary measures.
The deputy was also rapporteur in the plenary session and maintained his opinion in favor of overturning the precautionary measures. The plenary session took place remotely and votes were counted by name.
29 deputies were present at the session. 28 voted in favor of overturning the measures and one deputy abstained. Other precautionary measures not related to the exercise of the mandate were maintained.
Caio Roberto (MDB), deputy from Paraíba targeted by the PF operation — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
PF operation
State deputy Caio Roberto (MDB), was the target of a Federal Police (PF) operation in Paraíba, and would wear an electronic ankle bracelet following a decision by the Electoral Court, this Thursday (12). The measure was part of the precautions determined in the second phase of Operation Zone of Influence.
In addition to electronic monitoring, Caio Roberto would also be prohibited from visiting certain environments and maintaining contact with the other people being investigated.
According to the PF, in addition to the parliamentarian, an advisor was also the target of precautionary measures. The second phase of the action investigates a possible attempt to disrupt the investigations of the first stage. The suspicion is that confidential information about the actions has been leaked and evidence has been destroyed.
In the operation, launched this Thursday (12), four search and seizure warrants were executed in the municipalities of João Pessoa, Cabedelo and Bananeiras, issued by the Regional Electoral Court of Paraíba (TRE-PB).
During the execution of a search and seizure warrant at Caio Roberto's house, cell phones and computers were seized. Addresses linked to an advisor and his relative were also targets of the operation.
The deputy's legal advisor commented on the case in a note sent to g1 late this Thursday morning (12). In the document, it states that the parliamentarian "did not have access to the full precautionary measure that supported the decision made by the Regional Electoral Court of Paraíba, nor to the elements that make up the case."
"The parliamentarian emphasizes that he will only be able to comment on the facts after having full access to the records, a measure for which he is already adopting the necessary measures. Afterwards, he will seek to guarantee, through appropriate legal channels, the immediate reestablishment of all his rights and prerogatives", says another excerpt from the note.
According to the Federal Police, the second phase began after analyzing materials seized during the first stage. The investigators identified elements that indicated that the people being investigated had advance knowledge of the police operations.
According to the PF, these people adopted measures to eliminate possible evidence and instructed third parties to do the same.
In addition to the search and seizure warrants, the Electoral Court ordered precautionary measures for two people under investigation, state deputy Caio Roberto and an advisor, whose name was not disclosed.
Operation Zone of Influence
PF operation investigates negotiation of electoral support with faction in Paraíba and seizes R$220,000 — Photo: Reproduction / Federal Police
In the first phase of Operation Zone of Influence, carried out on September 29, Caio Roberto was also the target of search and seizure warrants. During the actions at that stage, the Federal Police seized R$220,000.
The original investigation investigates possible links between political agents and members of a criminal organization operating in the Metropolitan Region of João Pessoa, involving suspicions of negotiating political and electoral support in communities under the influence of the faction.
According to the PF, members of the group would have used territorial control of these communities to negotiate political support and allow candidates to enter these locations to carry out campaign events.
In exchange, possible payments to a leader of the criminal organization, the cost of expenses for a community center and negotiations involving positions and jobs in the public administration are investigated.
