Brazil Supreme Court minister to strictly follow law in probe of senator

Supreme Court Minister André Mendonça has made it clear to his associates that he will not show leniency toward Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in the "Dark Horse" film inquiry. Mendonça has reportedly stated that if the investigation uncovers concrete evidence of a crime, it will proceed according to legal procedures.

Sources indicate that Mendonça has confided in close contacts that his institutional role and professional integrity take precedence over any personal gratitude he may feel toward former President Jair Bolsonaro, who nominated him for the Supreme Court. This stance aims to dispel any notion of betrayal towards the Bolsonaro family, emphasizing his commitment to impartial justice.

Within Brasília's power circles, it is understood that Mendonça's past interactions with Flávio Bolsonaro do not suggest any expectation of preferential treatment. Notably, during the process of Mendonça's Supreme Court nomination in 2021, Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly did not actively campaign for his father's nominee, instead favoring other candidates.

On Thursday, Mendonça officially authorized the Federal Police to open a formal inquiry into Senator Bolsonaro. This decision followed a request from the Federal Police and a favorable opinion from the Prosecutor General's Office. The investigation stems from findings related to banker Daniel Vorcaro, including messages and audio recordings where Flávio Bolsonaro allegedly requested the transfer of R$134 million designated for the production of the film about Jair Bolsonaro. To date, the senator has not provided an accounting of these funds, fueling suspicions about their potential misuse.

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se a investigação indicar elementos concretos que evidenciem a prática de crime, a apuração terá o encaminhamento legal devido.