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Brazilian Federal Police leadership dispute

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2026-10-20 23:53 UTC → 2026-10-22 20:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR), Paulo Gonet, has petitioned the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to overturn the removal of Federal Police Director-General Andrei Rodrigues and Intelligence Director Leandro Almada. The officials were removed by Minister André Mendonça following an intelligence report regarding investigations into Banco Master. Gonet argues the removal lacks ‘robust evidentiary support’ and that there is no proof of illegal surveillance or improper conduct by police leadership. The PGR maintains that appointing the Federal Police chief is an administrative prerogative of the President and warns that the decision could ‘destabilize the institution’s command structure’ and jeopardize national investigations. In a legal opinion sent to STF Justice Luiz Edson Fachin, the PGR has supported the annulment of the preliminary decision to remove Rodrigues, reiterating that the director’s appointment and retention fall under the authority of the President. The PGR further contends there is no evidentiary basis linking the director to criminal organizations, which was a primary argument used to justify the suspension. Concurrently, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has criticized Rodrigues for attending a high-cost event in London hosted by former banker Daniel Vorcaro. While describing Rodrigues’ work as exceptional, the President noted he reprimanded the director for the trip and declined to guarantee his continuity in the role during a future administration. Adding to the legal scrutiny, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has opened a criminal investigation into Director-General Rodrigues. The probe examines whether he improperly disclosed confidential information from ‘Operation Sem Desconto’—an investigation into social security fraud—during a public interview. The inquiry specifically focuses on statements regarding a union linked to Frei Chico, the brother of President Lula da Silva.

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