Brazil’s top court postpones decision on key justice de Moraes ahead of October elections
MAURICIO SAVARESE and ERALDO PERES | Updated 5:11 PM CDT, September 15, 2026BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended deliberations Tuesday in a case revolving around one of its justices that is shaking the run-up to the country’s presidential election in October.
The court was set to decide on whether Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the man who led the trial against former President Jair Bolsonaro, should face an investigation in a graft case.
The session ended with the decision on de Moraes postponed possibly until mid-December.
That would put it off until well after the vote that is set to have President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, as the most competitive candidates in what is expected to be a close election.
The two Supreme Court justices at the center of an unprecedented crisis at the top court are perceived as being at opposing ends of Brazil’s polarized political spectrum.
De Moraes is facing accusations raised by Justice André Mendonca, Bolsonaro appointee. The cases revolves around his connection to shuttered Banco Master, a case that has ensnared high-ranking politicians and judiciary members.
Mendonca unsealed documents last week showing that the head of Banco Master, Daniel Vorcaro, who is now in prison, sought legal advice from de Moraes as he was about to be arrested. The documents also showed the bank had a contract worth 130 million reais ($23 million) with the law firm of de Moraes’ wife.
Outside the court Tuesday, several dozen Bolsonaro supporters protested, calling for de Moraes to leave the court or be impeached by the Senate. Their presence waned as rain fell on capital Brasilia.
Many Brazilians spent their day glued to their TVs watching the heated discussions among justices, including friction between de Moraes and Mendonca.
In his remarks, de Moraes denied any wrongdoing. He also accused Mendonca of waging a vendetta against him for political reasons, prompting a brief shouting match between the two. . . .
https://apnews.com/article/brazil-supreme-court-investigation-de-moraes-election-198cff6182a44a2cddc93bde8e20a9bf
