Suspect of vote buying is interrogated and released by police in Macau, RN
Quick Look
- An unidentified suspect, who held political office between 2008 and 2016, was interrogated and released by the Civil Police in Macau after videos showed an alleged offer of money to motorcycle taxi drivers.
- Warrants resulted in the seizure of R$12,550 in cash, a check for R$21,500, notebooks, cell phones and campaign materials.
- TRE-RN investigation points to a possible crime of buying votes, provided for in article 299 of the Electoral Code, with a penalty of 1 to 4 years in prison and a fine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The investigation deals with alleged vote buying in the municipality of Macau, Rio Grande do Norte, based on videos that show the suspect offering money to motorcycle taxi drivers. The crime is provided for in article 299 of the Electoral Code.
The suspect's name was not revealed. According to the police, he held a political position in the region between 2008 and 2016. The man was taken to the police station for questioning and then released.
According to the Civil Police, videos attached to the investigation showed the suspect allegedly offering money to motorcycle taxi drivers in the city center of Macau. At one point, he allegedly threw the money on the ground and later left the scene in a vehicle.
⚖️ The crime of buying votes is provided for in article 299 of the Electoral Code, which establishes a prison sentence of one to four years, in addition to payment of a fine.
The warrants seized notebooks and computer cases, a cell phone and R$12,550.00 in cash, in addition to a written check worth R$21,500.00. According to the police, there were also election campaign materials, the names of the candidates were not revealed.
The police also reported that they seized records containing the names of people and amounts that, according to investigations, exceed R$150,000.
The court orders were issued by the Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Norte (TRE-RN), through the 30th Electoral Zone of Macau. The warrants were carried out at three addresses, including residences and commercial establishments, and in a vehicle.
According to the police, the action aimed to seize elements that could contribute to investigations related to the alleged purchase of votes from voters in the municipality.
In another video in the investigation files, the investigation indicated that the suspect appeared to make statements capable of provoking animosity among voters.
The police reported that the investigation is ongoing to delve deeper into the facts and analyze the material seized.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Civil Police will continue the investigation to delve deeper into the facts and analyze the seized material.
Very likely · Within weeks
The Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Norte (TRE-RN) may issue new decisions based on the results of the investigation.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the identity of the suspect?
- What are the names of the candidates mentioned in the seized campaign materials?
- What was the destination of the total amount seized in cash and checks?
- Are there other suspects involved in the alleged vote buying scheme?
