Anderson Torres and Silvinei Vasques provide new statements about the blitz in the 2022 elections

The Federal Police (PF) scheduled new testimonies from the former Minister of Justice and the former director of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) regarding the 2022 election blitzes.

Vasques was already heard via videoconference this Monday (7). Anderson Torres had his new testimony scheduled for next week.

Both for acting to hinder the movement of voters for then-candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in the second round of the 2022 elections.

According to sources linked to the investigation, Silvinei Vasques denied intensifying the blitzes to disrupt the electoral process. Members of the PF, however, state that the explanations “are not consistent”.

In the case of the former director of the PRF, investigators believe that the indictment will be maintained.

Four other defendants who are members of the Federal Police will also be heard this week. They are: Alfredo de Souza Lima Coelho Carrijo, Fernando de Sousa Oliveira and Marília Ferreira de Alencar.

They were assigned to the Ministry of Justice at the time of the 2022 elections, during Torres’ administration.

A fourth indictment, federal police officer Leo Garrido de Salles Meira, already gave a statement last week.

Indictment

In August of this year, the PF indicted Torres, Silvinei and the four federal police officers based on article 359-P of the Penal Code, which penalizes anyone who restricts, prevents or hinders, through the use of physical violence, the exercise of political rights by any person due to national origin.

At the time, the PF also asked the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for more time to continue the investigations, interrogate the accused and, finally, present the conclusive report.

Silvinei Vasques’ defense, however, claims that the charge of blocking roads due to political preference does not exist in the Penal Code and, for this reason, the conduct is not punishable.

The argument is that, even if the fact attributed to Silvinei had existed, it should be classified as malfeasance – a crime that generally does not result in imprisonment.

A CNN try to contact Anderson Torres’ lawyers. But there has still been no response.