The defense of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) appealed to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) against a decision by minister Flávio Dino, who denied the former Chief Executive’s request to annul the payment of a fine of R$70,000. The appeal was presented this Monday, 1st.
The Electoral Court condemned the former president for promoting a video with alleged attacks on then-candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 elections.
Find out more: “Fachin keeps Nikolas fined R$30,000 for video about Lula during the election”
According to the TSE, the videos did not present the warning that it was electoral propaganda, which is provided for by law.
For Bolsonaro’s defense, electoral propaganda is an instrument of information and “realization of popular sovereignty”. In his opinion, the fine would be disproportionate due to the short period that Lula appears in the video.
Read also: “TSE maintains fine against Haddad for irregular advertising”
“In four minutes of propaganda, in just four seconds the image of the opposing candidate is broadcast”, argued the defense, adding that the punishment imposed on Bolsonaro violates freedom of expression and the free circulation of information.
Bolsonaro’s supposed electoral propaganda
The defense also writes that the Electoral Court’s determination is a repressive action and prevents the plurality of ideas in politics.
The case went to the Supreme Court after the TSE considered that the possibilities for appeal had been exhausted.
Find out more: “STF maintains fine against Carla Zambelli for electoral ‘misinformation’”
A 4-minute video, published on the Liberal Party (PL) YouTube channel, associated the PT member with negative images.
During the hearing in the Senate, before being sworn in as minister, Dino was asked whether he would declare himself unable to judge the former president. At the time, he said that he had no enemies and that he had already had lunch with Bolsonaro in Planalto.
+ Read more news about Politics in the West
