Brazil’s electoral court suspends Lula campaign ad linking Flávio Bolsonaro to corruption cases

Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court has stopped the broadcast of a Lula campaign advertisement that accused Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of involvement with criminal organizations.

Justice Estela Aranha issued the preliminary ruling on Sunday after a request from Bolsonaro’s campaign. The full court will review the decision. Aranha said the advertisement, titled “Flávio Bolsonaro’s Résumé,” crossed the limits of permissible political criticism by presenting an accusation of criminal involvement without sufficient support.

The commercial described Bolsonaro as a “ghost employee,” said he had been accused of money laundering and criminal organization offenses, and alleged that he honored the leader of Rio de Janeiro’s largest group of contract killers. It also said he received 134 million reais from Banco Master.

Bolsonaro’s defense argued that the advertisement removed facts from their context and led voters to believe allegations had been proven in court. The PL campaign will receive a right of reply.

Aranha said the court had established precedent for blocking the advertisement. “In particular, this court does not allow a candidate or prospective candidate to be associated with criminal practices without robust evidence to support the accusation,” she concluded.

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In particular, this court does not allow a candidate or prospective candidate to be associated with criminal practices without robust evidence to support the accusation.