The STJ (Superior Court of Justice) decided unanimously to release ex-president Michel Temer (MDB) from preventive prison, where he has been since Thursday (9) in São Paulo.
The court decided this Tuesday (14) to release Temer at a session full of criticisms about the supposed abuse of preventive prison, judgments during the investigation and trial.
The STJ justices applauded the actions to combat corruption and refuted the arguments by Temer's defense. However, they added that Temer did not have to go through "undue anticipation of the penalty" or a "witch-hunt."
They also ordered the release of colonel João Baptista Lima Filho, who, in addition to being Temer's friend since the 1980s, is accused of managing the ex-president's bribe operation.
The court ordered Temer and Colonel Lima to take precautionary measures less harsh than arrest. The court banned them from contacting people under investigation and changing their address and leaving the country. They must hand over their passports, and their bank accounts are frozen. They are also banned from holding public office and party leadership and maintaining operations with companies investigated.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon