Brazil’s Federal Police Indict Ex-Minister Silvio Almeida for Sexual Importunation

Overview

• The Federal Police concluded the inquiry on November 14 and sent the report to the Supreme Court, where relator André Mendonça forwarded it to the Prosecutor-General’s Office.
• The investigation runs under seal at the Supreme Court and began after Me Too Brasil reported complaints that led to Almeida’s dismissal in September 2024.
• Equality Minister Anielle Franco told investigators that an episode occurred during a May 2023 meeting, and other women provided confidential statements.
• By law, sexual importunation is nonconsensual sexual conduct punishable by one to five years in prison, and a police indictment reflects sufficient indicia but not a conviction.
• Almeida has consistently denied the accusations as false and politically motivated, and his defense has not commented on the latest development.