Lawyer seeking suspension of ethics case against lower house speaker

Marcelo Nobre, lawyer of lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha, filed for a writ of mandamus Tuesday (Feb. 16) asking the Supreme Court (STF) to recognize that his client's right to present a defense have been violated or put the misconduct case against Cunha pending before the Ethics Board of the Chamber of Deputies on hold until the house Committee on Constitution and Justice has considered Cunha's appeal to quash the case. “We want the Supreme Court to protect his right to be heard at the beginning of the case,” the lawyer said.

Nobre argued that the Ethics Board did not allow Cunha to present his defense when the rapporteur on the case against him was replaced. “The only reason why the case has not moved any further is that the right to defense has been violated. It's not just about Eduardo Cunha's right to defend himself, it's about John's, Mary's, Joe's, Mark's, everybody's,” he claimed.

The lawyer said early defense is the opportunity to show the accused is innocent and the case is meritless. He noted the right to be heard early in the case is outlined in the house Code of Ethics, and therefore he is calling on the Supreme Court to protect his client's right to defend himself.

Translated by Mayra Borges