Minister Flávio Dino, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), issued an 18-page dispatch reversing the removal of the Federal Police director-general, Andrei Rodrigues, which had been determined by colleague André Mendonça. In the decision, Dino compiled eleven direct and indirect messages to Mendonça.
Dino made direct criticisms of Mendonça's actions, pointing to alleged procedural shortcuts and an alleged overlap of the order from Court President Edson Fachin. The minister also made indirect references, citing "pressures" during the electoral period and the need for judges to have "restraint" and act with "moderation, balance and prudence."
The two ministers belong to different factions of the STF. Dino is considered closer to Alexandre de Moraes, who is in a clash with Mendonça. The decision was interpreted as a move in the dispute between the two currents of the Court.
In defending his authority to reinstate Andrei, Dino pointed to the need to safeguard the effectiveness of measures determined during the investigation into the so-called Dark Horse film, related to former President Jair Bolsonaro, "preventing undue external interferences."
