Maranhão Prosecutor General Downplays Gaeco Walkout, Installs New Leader After Turilândia Probe Rift

Overview

• Ten prosecutors from the Maranhão Gaeco unit submitted collective resignations after the MP issued an opinion favoring the release of all detainees in Operation Tântalo II.
• Prosecutor General Danilo José de Castro Ferreira called the exits a natural institutional event and named Haroldo Paiva de Brito to lead Gaeco and the intelligence coordinatorate.
• The MP defended the legality of its actions, argued for substituting preventive detention with strict precautionary measures, kept investigated officials removed, and requested judicial intervention in Turilândia.
• The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Maranhão court will decide whether to accept the MP’s recommendation to revoke the preventive arrests.
• Operation Tântalo II alleges a R$56 million diversion of public funds; arrests have included Mayor Paulo Curió, Vice Mayor Tânya Mendes, all 11 city councilors, and other suspects, with roughly R$5 million in cash seized during searches.