Brazil Senate Crime Panel Approves Summons for Meta’s Brazil Director and TH Joias

Overview

• On Nov. 26, the Senate’s CPI do Crime Organizado approved 38 requests, including summoning Meta Brazil director Conrado Leister and ex–Rio state deputy Thiego “TH Joias” Raimundo dos Santos Silva.
• The hearing with Leister will examine measures to stop Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp from being used by criminal groups for dissemination and financing.
• Relator Senator Alessandro Vieira said certain online ads exposed millions to e‑commerce scams, fake investments, illegal casinos and banned medical products, and may function as revenue and laundering channels for factions.
• TH Joias has been jailed since September on accusations of acting as a political arm of the Comando Vermelho and laundering money, and the CPI seeks details on alleged criminal‑political activity.
• Hearing dates have not been scheduled as the commission continues evidence gathering to inform possible public policy proposals.