Gerson Palermo, a leader of the First Command of the Capital (PCC), was sentenced to 126 years in prison but was released from a maximum-security facility with the approval of a retired judge, raising concerns over judicial processes.
Gerson Palermo, known as "Germano," a prominent figure in the First Command of the Capital (PCC), was sentenced to 126 years in prison for drug trafficking, conspiracy for trafficking, and the hijacking of an aircraft in 2000. Despite this significant sentence, he was granted an early release from a maximum-security prison in Campo Grande just before the National Holidays in 2020. This release took place under the authorization of retired judge Divoncir Schreiner Maran, who has now been sanctioned with compulsory retirement by Brazil's National Justice Council (CNJ) due to procedural irregularities surrounding the case.
Palermo's release was initially justified by the retired judge citing health issues; however, the CNJ later determined there was no medical report substantiating these claims, pointing towards significant flaws in the judicial system. Following his release, Palermo violated the terms of his house arrest by removing his electronic ankle bracelet and has since become a fugitive, remaining a wanted figure in Brazil's national public security system.
This case exemplifies ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of the judicial processes in Brazil, especially as they relate to organized crime. The involvement of a retired judge in granting such leniency to a high-profile criminal raises questions about corruption, judicial accountability, and the effectiveness of measures intended to control powerful criminal organizations like the PCC.
