Judge Ney Bello of TRF1 (Federal Regional Court for the 1st Circuit) ordered the release of former Education Secretary Milton Ribeiro this Thursday (23). He was arrested in Santos (SP) and held at the Federal Police Headquarters in Sao Paulo. Information taken from the portal R7.

Former Education Minister Milton Ribeiro was arrested this Wednesday (age 22) – Photo: Fabio Rodríguez Pozzebom/Agência/ND

The measure has an injunction and also secured the release of pastors Arilton Moura and Gilmar Santos. The ex-minister’s defense filed a motion for habeas corpus, but it was denied by Judge Morais da Rocha, also of TRF1.

The arrest warrant lists him as a suspect in the crimes of passive corruption, evasion and trading in influence.

He was arrested during a PF (Federal Police) operation that executed four search and seizure warrants this Wednesday (22) at the MEC (Ministry of Education) building in Brasilia. President of the Republic Jair Bolsonaro commented on the situation.

“We pushed him away. If there is a prison, it is the federal police. This is a sign that the Federal Police are on the move. He is responsible for his actions. This is a sign that I am not interfering with the OF. If caught, then there is a reason. If someone does something wrong, will they blame me?” Bolsonaro asked.

At the time the allegations were made, Ribeiro was defended by the President of the Republic, who said he was “on fire for Milton”.

The PF has identified evidence of criminal activity to release money from the fund based on documents, testimonies and a report from the CGU (Controller General of the Union).