TRE-RJ Rejected 15 Candidacies Over 'Tie Militia' Suspicions

On Monday (14), the Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro (TRE-RJ) rejected 15 candidacy registrations, including those of Cristiane Brasil and Pastor Everaldo, due to alleged ties to criminal organizations. The decision is part of an effort by the Electoral Justice to prevent the so-called “tie militia” from influencing the polls.

Expansion of the Criminal Organization Concept

The TRE-RJ approved, by a 4-3 vote, the inclusion of the “tie militia” in the definition of a criminal organization. Unlike armed militias, these groups infiltrate public agents to rig bids and control contracts without the use of weapons.

Rejection of Candidacies

Among the 15 rejected registrations, eight were decided in Monday's session. In five cases, the court applied the 'tie militia' thesis; in the others, there was suspicion of involvement in armed militias. Pastor Everaldo's registration was unanimously blocked, based on the framing and lack of documents. Businessman Clebio Lopes Jacaré, a candidate for federal deputy, also had his candidacy denied by a 5-2 vote, accused of leading a bid-rigging scheme.

Change of Polling Station Addresses

The court changed the addresses of 72 polling stations across 20 municipalities, transferring over 200,000 voters to areas deemed safe. Of the altered locations, 44 were in areas controlled by Comando Vermelho, 17 under Terceiro Comando Puro, and five in regions dominated by 'tie militias'. The changes were concentrated in Rio's southwest zone and cities such as Araruama, Itaboraí, Niterói, and Volta Redonda.

Possibility of Appeal

The barred candidates can appeal to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Clebio Lopes Jacaré's defense argued that the seized material does not prove the existence of a 'tie militia' and questioned the penalty given the procedural slowness.

Electoral Justice's Reaction

In a statement, the president of TRE-RJ, Justice Cláudio de Mello Tavares, reiterated that there is no tolerance for the infiltration of criminal organizations in politics and that the measure aims to protect democracy and public institutions.

With information from G1, VEJA, Jornal do Brasil.