Rio Assembly Overturns Preventive Detention of Its President Rodrigo Bacellar

Overview

• Lawmakers voted 42–21, with two abstentions, to revoke the detention, following a 4–3 recommendation by the Alerj Constitution and Justice Committee earlier in the day.
• Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized the arrest on December 3 and can now confirm the release or set alternative measures while the case remains before the Supreme Court.
• The Federal Police allege Bacellar leaked confidential information tied to Operation Zargun to benefit TH Joias, described as a political link to the Comando Vermelho, which Bacellar denies.
• In testimony, Bacellar acknowledged contact with TH Joias on the eve of the September action; investigators cite exchanged messages and say agents found R$ 90,000 in cash in Bacellar’s car.
• The plenary did not vote on removing Bacellar from the Alerj presidency; Governor Cláudio Castro’s allies sought distance from the case, and Transparência Internacional condemned the assembly’s decision.