Fachin denies Flávio Bolsonaro's request to remove Dino from STF

The president of Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), Minister Edson Fachin, rejected a request made by Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) to remove the minister Flávio Dino from proceedings related to the senator and candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. The decision was signed on Thursday (1st).

Flávio Bolsonaro had filed an argument of suspicion against Dino. The aim was to prevent the minister from continuing to act as rapporteur in processes involving the candidate.

According to Agência Brasil, Fachin refused to follow up on the request. The order is processed under secrecy of justice and, therefore, the detailed grounds adopted by the president of STF have not been disclosed.

Flávio Bolsonaro questioned Dino's performance

In the petition filed with the Supreme Court, Flávio Bolsonaro argued that Dino should be considered a suspect to act as the rapporteur of an investigation related to the alleged use of parliamentary amendments to fund the film “Dark Horse,” a film biography of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in addition to electoral actions.

Among the arguments presented by the candidate is the allegation of Flávio Dino’s personal connection with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The allegation originated from Flávio Bolsonaro; with the decision of Thursday, Fachin did not proceed with the request for removal.

Investigation involves R$ 2 million in amendments

Flávio Dino is the rapporteur of the action that seeks the allocation of R$ 2 million in parliamentary amendments by federal deputy Mário Frias (PL-SP) to the Instituto Conhecer Brasil.

The entity has a connection with the audiovisual producer Go Up Entertainment, responsible for the recordings of “Dark Horse”. Mário Frias is appointed as executive producer of the film. The investigation investigates the alleged use of resources coming from parliamentary amendments in the project.

The existence of the investigation does not mean that the suspicions have been proven. The process seeks to clarify the circumstances of the allocation of resources.

Election decisions also put ministers at the center of the dispute

The name of Flávio Dino has also been involved in recent days in a court dispute related to the 2026 election.

Dino had suspended a decision of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) that determined the withdrawal of publications related to Flávio Bolsonaro and the discussion on the title of Nossa Senhora Aparecida as the patron of Brazil.

Subsequently, Minister Luiz Fux, of STF, suspended Dino's decision. The case also went through the virtual plenary of the TSE, which formed a majority to maintain the withdrawal of publications.

Flávio Bolsonaro denies that it has submitted or supports a proposal to withdraw from Nossa Senhora Aparecida the title of Brazil's patron.

With Fachin’s decision on Thursday, the candidate’s request to declare Dino’s suspicion will not go forward under the terms in which it was filed.