TRF-2 denies habeas corpus to Mário Peixoto

Businessman Mário Peixoto, involved in fraud and corruption in contracts with the state government, has yet to escape prison. The Federal Regional Court of Rio (TRF-2) denied a habeas corpus petition from his defense on Wednesday. Freedom was also denied to Vinicius Peixoto (the businessman's son), Alessandro Duarte, and Cassiano Luiz da Silva. Of the three judges, two voted to uphold the imprisonment, while Antonio Athiê voted to grant house arrest to all the accused.

In his vote, rapporteur Abel Gomes stated that maintaining Mário Peixoto's imprisonment is necessary because there is a risk of "repetition" of the criminal act:

"Preventive detention is necessary in situations like the one examined, where the defendant's participation is fundamental to the commission of the crimes described, under the most diverse circumstances, and denotes a high risk of recidivism, even during a pandemic, demonstrating contempt for society. There are facts that extend over time," stated Abel Gomes.

The request for the release of Paulo Melo, former president of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj), who is accused in investigations of receiving two apartments in Miami as bribes in the scheme, has not yet been judged. Judge Paulo Espirito Santo requested a review, and the habeas corpus petition should be judged soon by the Regional Federal Court (TRF). The rapporteur of the case, Judge Abel Gomes, voted to uphold the detention.