Overview

• Federal Judge Thadeu José Piragibe Afonso in Amazonas issued a 10-year prison sentence, a fine of 100 day-fines, and loss of public office in a decision dated Wednesday.
• The conviction stems from two Ministério Público Federal cases for denunciação caluniosa, with the judge finding that Xavier instrumentalized Federal Police procedures to intimidate opponents.
• Court records say he pushed a 2020 inquiry against Funai staff, indigenous leaders, and a federal prosecutor tied to licensing for the Linhão de Tucuruí, causing concrete reputational and psychological harm.
• The project at issue is a 122 km transmission line meant to connect Roraima to Brazil’s national grid by crossing the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous Reserve.
• Xavier’s defense called the decision perplexing, insisted his actions were lawful and aimed at protecting Waimiri Atroari interests, and said it will appeal, while indigenous group Apib condemned his tenure and reporters note he faces other legal proceedings.