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Brazil’s Prosecutor General requests the closure of unfounded investigation into Transparency International

Brazil’s Prosecutor General, Paulo Gonet, has requested the dismissal of an investigation into Transparency International, citing a lack of evidence and the absence of concrete facts indicating any criminal conduct.

The investigation was based on false claims that Transparency International received funds from leniency agreements related to Operation Car Wash, a probe that exposed a vast corruption scheme within Brazilian state-owned enterprises nearly a decade ago.

In February, the Supreme Court Justice Dias Toffoli ordered an investigation into Transparency International, just a week after Transparency International published its 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, which highlighted setbacks in Brazil’s fight against corruption. The analysis specifically drew attention to Justice Dias Toffoli’s recent decision to invalidate evidence and suspend fines for corruption involving the large Brazilian companies Odebrecht (now Novonor) and J&F.

The Prosecutor General’s decision this week to request the dismissal of the case is also based on the lack of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and, in particularly Justice Toffoli, to investigate such allegations. This raises concerns about a growing trend of baseless attacks targeting civil society organisations that work to expose corruption in Brazil.

François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, said:

“The attacks against Transparency International in Brazil, as in other parts of the world, are a direct response to our actions exposing corruption and underscore the importance of our work in confronting powerful interests.

“However, this should never be normalised or tolerated. The freedom and safety of activists and other professionals working in the public interest, such as investigative journalists, are fundamental elements of a democracy.”

Bruno Brandão, Executive Director Transparency International Brazil, said:

“Baseless attacks will not silence Transparency International Brazil and our mission to fight corruption. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and we will continue to expose wrongdoing, advocate for the protection of civic space and the rights of citizens and civil society to express their concerns and demand justice.”

Note to editors

See also:

  • Transparency International Brazil’s statement.