On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) requested a virtual session of the First Group of the Court to analyze the decision made by the Chamber of Deputies to suspend the criminal action against federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem (PL-RJ). This decision is part of the ongoing complexities surrounding the coup plot that involved the government of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The Chamber of Deputies had voted on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to suspend the criminal action stemming from petition n. 12.100. This move was communicated to the president of the STF, Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, by Chamber President Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB). The communication detailed that the House resolved to suspend the criminal action during an extraordinary deliberative session.
Legal experts interpret this decision as potentially opening the door for the suspension of all charges against Ramagem and the other defendants in the first nucleus of the coup plot, including Bolsonaro himself. Ramagem, who previously served as the director-general of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin), is accused of misusing the agency's resources to illegally spy on adversaries of Bolsonaro, a scandal dubbed "Abin Paralela".
According to the Brazilian Constitution, since 2001, legislative houses have the authority to suspend criminal proceedings against congress members, provided the decision is supported by a majority in the plenary. However, this constitutional provision applies only to crimes committed during the term of office. As noted by legal experts, the case involving Bolsonaro and other defendants does not fall under this protection since they no longer hold mandates.
The resolution passed by the Chamber, which received a significant vote of 315 in favor and 143 against, was first approved in the Commission of Constitution and Justice (CCJ) before moving to the plenary. The process does not require approval from the other legislative house or presidential sanction, only the communication to the First Group of the STF, which has already been completed.
Despite the apparent victory for Ramagem, sources from the STF indicated that the decision by the Chamber will likely have limited implications and will not shield Bolsonaro from the ongoing coup attempt trial. These sources explained that the Chamber's resolution does not extend to all crimes charged against Ramagem and that the suspension mainly applies to actions taken after his election as a federal deputy in December 2022.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the STF has made it clear that Ramagem will still face charges related to serious offenses, including the violent abolition of democratic order and conspiracy. The decision to convene a virtual session to discuss the implications of the Chamber's vote highlights the ongoing tension between legislative and judicial powers in Brazil.
During the deliberations, some members of the Chamber expressed their support for Ramagem, with notable figures such as Arthur Lira (PP-AL) and Baleia Rossi (SP) voting in favor of the resolution. However, there are indications that the support may have been more symbolic, aimed at signaling to Bolsonaro's allies while simultaneously challenging the current Lula administration, which has struggled to garner support in Congress.
The political maneuvering surrounding Ramagem's case is further complicated by the recent push for amnesty for those involved in the January 8 attacks on the Three Powers' headquarters. Allies of Bolsonaro have been vocal about their desire to see the proposal advance, particularly in light of the recent health challenges faced by the former president.
In the wake of these developments, the PSOL party has announced plans to file a lawsuit in the Supreme Court challenging the Chamber's decision regarding Ramagem, indicating that the legal battles surrounding this case are far from over.
As the STF prepares to review the implications of the Chamber's decision, the political ramifications of these actions will continue to unfold, shaping the landscape of Brazilian politics in the lead-up to the next election cycle.
