Former Brazilian President Fernando Collor was arrested in Maceió, Alagoas, early Friday morning while preparing for a flight to BrasÃlia. His defense team confirmed the arrest and stated he was complying with a Supreme Court decision issued by Minister Alexandre de Moraes. The arrest followed Moraes' denial of Collor's appeal to delay the start of his prison sentence.
Collor was sentenced to 8 years and 10 months in prison for corruption, a conviction stemming from the Operation Lava Jato investigation. The charges included corruption, money laundering, and criminal association, with the latter charge's punishability having been extinguished. The Supreme Court is scheduled to review Moraes' decision on Friday, potentially affirming or revoking the imprisonment order.
Collor's conviction involved receiving R$20 million in bribes from UTC Engenharia in exchange for directing contracts to BR Distribuidora. Co-defendants Pedro Paulo Bergamaschi and LuÃs Pereira Duarte de Amorim were also convicted, and all three were ordered to pay a collective fine for moral damages. Moraes' order stipulated that Collor's prison sentence must be served immediately, following medical examinations.
Collor's defense expressed surprise and concern over the arrest. They argued that the court had not addressed the claim of prescription following the judgment for the Public Prosecutor's Office. They also asserted that the appeal was not protracting the process and should be considered by the plenary session.