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MIKE FOX: Hundreds of Brazilians rallied in defense of U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald, on Tuesday. Greenwald has been under attack by the government of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, for his role in the release of on-going bombshell leaks that implicate Justice Minister Se'rgio Moro in a possible right-wing plot to smear and convict former President Luiz Ina'cio Lula da Silva, which blocked him from competing in last year's elections.
Greenwald was been threatened to be deported, imprisoned and even killed.
Events were held in both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. They were organized by the Brazilian Press Association and attended by several well-known Brazilian artists. Videos in solidarity were sent by the head of Brazil's lower house Rodrigo Maia, Canadian journalist Naomi Klein, and even Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
TUCKER CARLSON: I've been reading with great concern about the threat from the Brazilian government to punish or imprison journalist Glenn Greenwald for his reporting on high-level officials.
MIKE FOX: Greenwald spoke to the packed crowd.
GLENN GREENWALD: I am not going to let the country of my children turn into a dictatorship.
MIKE FOX: Greenwald is the co-founder of the investigative outlet The Intercept, which has been publishing the on-going leaks. These revelations, which stem from private Telegram messages between members of the country's anti-corruption task force, clearly show then judge Sergio Moro illegally and consistently guided federal prosecutors in the corruption investigations, while also presiding over the proceedings as a supposedly impartial judge. Moro himself convicted Lula in 2017. After Bolsonaro's election last year, in a highly suspect move, the president-elect appointed Moro as his justice minister.
Moro has denied the authenticity of The Intercept leaks and has accused the outlet of being a criminal organization. Last week, his Justice Ministry detained 4 hackers, which he says are the source of The Intercept's leaks, although he has not provided any evidence. He also signed a decree, facilitating the deportation of foreigners under criminal investigation or labeled "dangerous". It appeared to be aimed at Greenwald.
Last Saturday, Pres Bolsonaro threatened Greenwald with prison. He has repeated his statements in subsequent days.
During Monday's press briefing in Brasilia, a journalist asked government spokesperson
Ota'vio Rêgo Barros exactly what law Greenwald had broken. Rêgo Barros had a hard time answering the question.
RÊGO BARROS: So, your question is about the crime?
JOURNALIST: Yes, what was the crime committed?
RÊGO BARROS: About the crime that was committed"
JOURNALIST: By the journalist
RÊGO BARROS: The president has no doubt about the crime. I don't think anyone has any doubt.
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