Silvio Almeida chooses criminalist, former student and anti-discrimination lawyer for defense team | Blogs
Reported for harassment, the former Minister of Human Rights, Silvio Almeida, chose a combative lawyer to lead the defense team that will represent him in court. Criminalist Nélio Machado was a defender of political prisoners during the military dictatorship, is critical of plea bargains and what he considers a punitive wave in Brazil.
Machado was at the forefront of other controversial cases in Brazil. He advocated, for example, for the banker Daniel Dantas and also for the former governor of the Federal District, José Roberto Arruda, accused of corruption. The criminalist has already presided over the Rio de Janeiro Penitentiary Council and is a member of the Brazilian Institute of Criminal Sciences.
In addition to him, the former minister’s defense team includes lawyer Juliana Faleiros, Human Rights activists and former student of Silvio Almeida, and Fabiano Machado da Rosa, specialized in anti-discrimination law and a reference in crisis management.
Silvio Almeida was fired last Friday, one day after Me Too Brasil confirmed receipt of harassment reports. Among the victims would be the Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco.
The former minister has not yet had a statement to the Federal Police scheduled. Since his dismissal, he has not given any statements to the press.
