In a recent ruling, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin granted partial habeas corpus to businesswoman Ingrid Pikinskeni Morais Santos, allowing her to invoke her right to remain silent during a testimony session scheduled for this Monday related to CPMI of INSS (Public Civil Inquiry Commission on National Social Security Institute). This decision comes as Santos faces existing investigations connected to pension frauds, and her legal team had argued for her nonappearance based on these ongoing criminal inquiries.

The ruling stipulates that while Santos has the right to remain silent and not self-incriminate, she is still obliged to attend the session. This highlights the nuances within the legal framework distinguishing between a witness and a suspect; witnesses must tell the truth while suspects can choose silence to protect themselves from self-incrimination. The case reflects ongoing scrutiny within Brazil's social security system, particularly regarding fraudulent practices that have come to light.

Zanin's decision emphasizes the balance between the rights of individuals involved in legal proceedings and the necessity for judicial inquiries to obtain truthful testimonies. The CPMI of INSS has been a platform for investigating alleged corrupt practices within the pension system, making Santos's testimony a significant part of the broader inquiry into financial discrepancies and fraud in Brazil's public services.