“Parallel Abin”: deputy decides to fire advisor arrested suspected of disseminating false information

Federal deputy Pedro Jr. (PL-TO) decided this Thursday (10) to fire Daniel Ribeiro Lemos, who was assigned to his office. The parliamentary advisor was arrested in a Federal Police operation investigating the use of the structure to monitor authorities during the administration of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

“As soon as I became aware of what happened, I ordered the immediate dismissal of Mr. Daniel Ribeiro Lemos, in order to ensure the necessary exemption so that he can respond to the accusations against him. I believe in the importance of a fair and transparent process, where everyone has the right to defense and the duty to comply with the law”, said the deputy in a statement released this afternoon.

He also stated that he viewed the case with “great concern and seriousness”. The parliamentarian reaffirmed his “commitment to ethics and legality” in his actions and those of those who “collaborate” with his mandate. The deputy is a substitute and took office in the Chamber of Deputies in June this year.

“I reiterate that I do not condone any type of irregularity, misconduct, nor the spread of fake news or misinformation,” he said in the note.

preventive and two for search and seizure at two of the advisor’s addresses, issued by the Federal Supreme Court (STF). As CNN showed, for the investigators involved, the advisor acted as a “bridge” between the “disinformation propagation vectors” and the “parallel nucleus-structure”, being the main cell operating in the Presidency of the Republic.

The investigation indicates that he would have acted as a “digital influencer” and was based at Palácio do Planalto at the time of the “parallel Abin”.

Read the full note from Congressman Pedro Jr. on the case:

In relation to the arrest of advisor Daniel Ribeiro Lemos, I come forward to express my position in a clear and transparent way.

It is with great concern and seriousness that I received the news of the arrest of Mr. Daniel Ribeiro Lemos, who worked as an advisor in my office. Given this fact, I reaffirm my commitment to ethics and legality in all my actions and in the actions of all those who collaborate with my mandate.

As soon as I became aware of what happened, I ordered the immediate dismissal of Mr. Daniel Ribeiro Lemos, in order to ensure the necessary exemption so that he can respond to the accusations against him. I believe in the importance of a fair and transparent process, where everyone has the right to defense and the duty to comply with the law.

I reiterate that I do not condone any type of irregularity, misconduct, nor the spread of fake news or misinformation. My mandate has always been guided by integrity and respect for the trust placed in me by the people of Tocantins. I will continue to work tirelessly to represent the interests of the people of Tocantins and to contribute to the development of our state.

I thank everyone for their understanding and I remain at your disposal for any clarifications.

Investigation advances

As CNN showed, last week, new statements were taken related to the investigation. Former minister of the Bolsonaro government, general Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz.

The general was head of Bolsonaro’s Government Secretariat and was heard as a witness. Investigators questioned the former minister about the alleged structure set up at Palácio do Planalto to monitor political opponents of the then government and disseminate disinformation.

The PF also wanted to know whether councilor Carlos Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), who is being investigated in the investigation, commanded the so-called “parallel Abin”. The former president’s son denies it. The report found that the general answered all questions and collaborated with the investigation.

The PF’s expectation is that, with this and other statements that will be collected throughout the month, it will be able to gather the final elements to conclude the investigation.