Opposition Moves Against Army Aide After Deputy Alleges Intimidation in Congress

Overview

• Marcel van Hattem, who filed a police report Friday with the Legislative Police, says Army adviser Gen. Emílio Vanderlei Ribeiro tried to intimidate him and he will ask that the officer be barred from congressional premises.
• Opposition leader Cabo Gilberto Silva demanded the general’s temporary removal for investigation and accused the Army high command of aligning with the Supreme Federal Court to silence conservative lower-ranking personnel.
• The dispute followed a corridor exchange Wednesday after van Hattem called Army commander Gen. Tomás Ribeiro Paiva “frouxo,” as Gen. Emílio defended his chief and the deputy repeated the insult on camera.
• The Supreme Federal Court’s 1st Panel on Tuesday, April 28, made pastor Silas Malafaia a defendant for injuria against Gen. Paiva, and the federal prosecutor’s office asked to tie the case to probes of so‑called digital militias with a possible penalty of up to six months in open regime and a fine.
• The Army did not comment when asked, and the push for disciplinary action and access limits could curtail the adviser’s work with Congress and set up new hearings with the commander.