As former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s attorneys, we make the following comments on the interview that Federal Police Chief Igor Romário de Paula granted to UOL Website on January 27th, 2017:

1- The disclosure of information - by the press - regarding the events that occurred in the department constitutes a disciplinary transgression according to the law regulating the legal regime of Federal police officers (Law No. 4,878/65, Article 43, II). In addition, the way Federal Police Chief Igor Romário de Paula addresses former President Lula is not compatible with the Code of Ethics approved by the Federal Police (Resolution No. 004-SCP/DPF, March 26, 2015, Article 6, II) and with the protection against defamation (criminal offense) of citizens in general, guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and other legislation. Therefore, it will be subject to the appropriate legal measures;

2- With the same approach of depriving the freedom of former President Lula, emphasizing a sense of opportunity and timing, the Federal Police Chief Igor Rodrigo de Paula makes it plainly evident that the purpose of the operation against Lula is innately political. Several authorities involved in the investigations and proceedings related to the former President hold prejudice and bias, allow information leaks and display behaviors in violation of professional ethics and conduct. Using the law and legal procedures for political persecution is considered lawfare, which has been repeatedly exposed by Lula’s defense and becomes increasingly evident with every statement made by public officials involved in “Operation Car Wash”;

3- Public officials who use their positions to promote damage to the honor of Lula or of any citizen are committing abuse of office, according to Article 4, subitem “h”, Law No. 4,898/65. Therefore, the contents of the interview given by the Federal Police Chief Igor Rodrigo de Paula must be investigated and punished if the violation is confirmed, irrespective of “timing”. No one is above the law, let alone the authorities responsible for ensuring their compliance;

4- The allegation of the Chief Police Igor de Paula constitutes a moral coercion of the former President and a threat to his public image. It is deplorable that a public official manifests his opinion on an investigation that is still in progress and under his responsibility, with the evident purpose of restraining a citizen, violating his right to defense and due process.
This fact offers one more evidence on how some members and even coordinators of Operation Car Wash deviated from the purpose of the investigation to persecute former President Lula, despite the lack of evidence of a crime of any kind against Lula.

Cristiano Zanin Martins