Mato Grosso’s Public Ministry opens probe for defamation against Lula

Brasilia, Apr 22 (Prensa Latina) The Public Ministry of the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil's central-west region opened a police investigation on possible crimes of defamation, slander, threats and criminal association against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, it was confirmed on Friday.

Sources from the Workers’ Party (PT) corroborated that the transgressions were committed by state deputy Gilberto Cattani and other people through a billboard placed in Rondonopolis.

The decision by the Prosecutor’s Office emerged after a request to initiate an investigation presented by the PT and delivered to the Civil Police in Mato Grosso.

The lawsuit argues that the honor of the former governor is being denigrated “nationally” and even internationally.

Lawyers Cristiano Zanin and Eugênio Aragão, who represent the political organization, believe that the determination to investigate is important to curb the abuses committed even before the beginning of the electoral campaign, scheduled for August.

We will wait for the final decision by the Prosecutor’s Office, but we understand that to establish the inquiry is an extremely relevant measure to investigate the possible crimes committed against Lula, the lawyers said.

Last week, the PT filed three actions at the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) against a new vulgar defamation campaign against the former president.