Brazil Supreme Court Panel Makes Deputy Gilvan da Federal a Defendant Over Attacks on Army Commander

Overview

• The Supreme Court’s First Panel voted unanimously to accept the case, with Flávio Dino, Cármen Lúcia and Cristiano Zanin following relator Alexandre de Moraes.
• The decision makes Gilvan da Federal a defendant and moves the case into evidence gathering and witness testimony in the high court.
• Prosecutors accuse him of insult, defamation and slander over a November 25, 2025 speech in the Chamber and later videos that targeted Army Commander Tomás Paiva.
• Alexandre de Moraes rejected a claim of parliamentary immunity, saying the Constitution does not shield attacks on personal honor and noting the videos spread widely online.
• The defense called the ruling a preliminary step and said the remarks were political speech, pledging to argue immunity, free expression and lack of criminal intent as the case advances.