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Lula Demands Transparency in Banco Master Scandal as Supreme Court Crisis Pits Two Justices Against Each Other

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged Brazil’s Supreme Court and prosecutors to protect the integrity of investigations into an alleged multibillion-dollar Banco Master fraud.
  • Justice Alexandre de Moraes asked the Supreme Court presidency to investigate Justice André Mendonça, who is examining the scandal and disclosed messages from jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro.
  • Lula said the case harmed thousands of people and exposed the need for stronger institutions and deep reforms of Brazil’s political and judicial systems.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has entered Brazil’s escalating Banco Master scandal with an unusual public appeal: investigate everyone involved and shield no one. In a video posted on social media, the president called on the head of the Supreme Court and prosecutors to ensure the inquiry’s integrity and preserve public trust.

Lula spoke after a sharp confrontation between two Supreme Court justices. Alexandre de Moraes, whose profile rose after he sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for an attempted coup, asked the court’s presidency to open an investigation into André Mendonça.

Mendonça is investigating the alleged fraud at Banco Master and had disclosed messages sent by jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro to various officials. De Moraes, who became embroiled in the scandal after messages from Vorcaro were made public, accused his colleague of administrative misconduct, abuse of authority and a crime of responsibility. The request appeared to follow the disclosure of those messages.

It is essential that everyone be investigated, with no one protected, no matter who is hurt. The Brazilian people have the right to know the truth.

· Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaLula called for an unrestricted investigation into the Banco Master scandal.

Lula described the Banco Master affair as the biggest robbery in Brazil’s history and said it had harmed thousands of people. He also pointed to suspicions that politicians and public officials may have been involved, saying Vorcaro, whom he described as the organization’s leader, had relationships with many powerful people.

"It is essential that everyone be investigated, with no one protected, no matter who is hurt. The Brazilian people have the right to know the truth," Lula said. He added that firm and transparent action was needed to ensure respect for Brazil’s institutions.

"Democracy needs strong and respected institutions," Lula said, adding that the crisis had made clear that Brazil’s political and judicial systems needed deep reforms. Supreme Court President Edson Fachin said the previous day that he would examine indications of corruption involving the court.

Democracy needs strong and respected institutions.

· Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaHe linked the scandal and Supreme Court conflict to wider concerns about Brazil’s institutions.
About this summary

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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