Silvinei Vasques' retirement revoked by Brazilian Supreme Court

Supreme Federal Court (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the revocation of the retirement benefits of Silvinei Vasques, the former director-general of the Federal Highway Police (PRF). Vasques was previously sentenced by the STF to 24 years and six months in prison for his involvement in a coup attempt during the Jair Bolsonaro administration.

Although Vasques retired in 2022 at the age of 47, prior to his conviction, Moraes ruled that the loss of public office resulting from a criminal conviction also applies to retired officials. The decision mandates the immediate enforcement of the sanction through the revocation of his retirement as a federal highway police officer.

The Prosecutor General's Office accused Vasques of using highway checkpoints in the Northeast region to obstruct the movement of voters supporting Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the second round of the 2022 elections. Vasques' defense has denied these allegations, claiming he was the target of fake news and a ‘media storm’ during the proceedings.