The Brazilian Supreme Court has set a date in March to deliberate on the legality of wiretaps used as evidence in the Sevandija Operation, which unearthed a significant corruption scheme in Ribeirão Preto.
The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil (STF) has scheduled a trial for March regarding the legality of telecom wiretaps used in the Sevandija Operation. This operation has exposed a major corruption scandal in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, with reported thefts amounting to R$ 220 million from the municipality. The decision on the wiretap evidence is critical as it underpins the convictions of various politicians, lawyers, and businesspeople involved in the corruption case.
Currently, only Minister Nunes Marques, who is the rapporteur for the case, has expressed support for the validity of the wiretaps. Other key ministers, including Dias Toffoli, Edson Fachin, André Mendonça, and Gilmar Mendes, had previously requested time to review an extraordinary appeal, leading to a temporary suspension of the trial last September. Mendes has now returned the case for judgment, which is anticipated to occur between March 6 and 13 in a virtual session.
The outcome of this trial could have significant implications not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader fight against corruption in Brazil. The Sevandija Operation is noted as one of the largest corruption cases in the history of Ribeirão Preto, and the legal precedents set by this case could influence future operations and the use of wiretaps in legal proceedings across the country.
