Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that “nobody is above the law,” though “the presumption of innocence must always be respected,” in response to police investigations involving his eldest son.
“Brazilian institutions are being strengthened and have the responsibility to investigate everyone, without exception or privilege. Nobody is above the law,” declared Lula da Silva in a post on social media, adding that “investigating is different from convicting.”
In this regard, the head of state emphasized that “the presumption of innocence must always be respected” and that “every person has the right to defense, due process of law, and to prove their innocence.”
On August 4, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court authorized the Federal Police to open a third investigation into Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, on suspicion of influence peddling.
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“If there are irregularities, they must be investigated. If there is diversion of public funds, those responsible must answer for their actions,” stated the President, without specifically naming his son. “This is how democracy is strengthened: with solid institutions and respect for the Constitution,” Lula added.
Police are investigating suspicions of influence peddling, corruption, and potential favoritism toward business owners and private interests within federal agencies, particularly linked to the sale of medications to the Brazilian federal government. At the end of July, during an interview on a podcast in Brazil, Lula stated that his eldest son will have “no privilege” and that he will not interfere in the investigations.
The investigation into Lula’s firstborn emerged on the eve of the official launch of the campaign for the October presidential election. Lula gave an interview to the broadcast network TV Record, aired at the same time as the debate, where he expressed nostalgia for previous elections and criticized the degradation of contemporary political discourse on social media.
“The situation has been worsening. Today, if you compare the current contest with those of the past, you realize that the importance of politicians running for public office has diminished,” he lamented.
