07/ 47Militia
The Alerj’s highest honor was delivered in prison. By Flávio.
In 2005, Flávio Bolsonaro proposed the Tiradentes Medal, the Alerj’s highest honor, for military police officer Adriano da Nóbrega, then in prison accused of killing a parking attendant, a charge of which he would be acquitted in 2007[1]. In 2019, Adriano was formally accused of leading a militia; he died in 2020, before any trial[2].
Flávio Bolsonaro
Former Rio state deputy, senator and presidential candidate (PL)
01
Fabrício Queiroz
Flávio’s former aide. Formally accused alongside him in 2020; case closed without trial [3][4]
Ex-assessor
Fabrício Queiroz was Flávio’s aide. According to Flávio himself, Queiroz recommended Adriano’s mother for the office[5].
02
Adriano da Nóbrega
Former military police officer. Formally accused of leading a militia in 2019; killed in 2020, without trial [2]
Moção de louvor Oct. 2003
As a state deputy, Flávio presented a commendation for Lieutenant Adriano, praising his “dedication, brilliance and gallantry”[1]. The formal militia accusation would only come in 2019[2].
Medalha Tiradentes Jun. 2005
Flávio proposed the Alerj’s highest honor for Adriano, then in prison accused of killing a parking attendant; he would be acquitted in 2007[1]. Flávio delivered the medal in prison[11].
Repasses, segundo MP 2020 with Fabrício Queiroz
The MP-RJ stated that Adriano transferred more than R$ 400,000 to accounts controlled by Queiroz[12]. The STJ invalidated the investigation’s evidence, and the case was closed without trial[4].
03
Raimunda Veras Magalhães
Adriano’s mother. Was an aide in Flávio’s Alerj office [5]
04
Danielle Mendonça da Costa da Nóbrega
Adriano’s former wife. Aide in Flávio’s Alerj office from 2007 to 2018 [6]
Emprego no gabinete Sep. 2007 – Nov. 2018
Adriano’s former wife worked in Flávio’s Alerj office from 2007 to 2018. The office says everyone “worked in accordance with the rules” and that the case was closed[6].
Ex-mulher with Adriano da Nóbrega
Danielle Mendonça da Costa da Nóbrega is Adriano’s former wife[12].
05
Major Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira
Convicted of leading a militia (2021) and of double homicide in the Marielle case (STF, 2026) [7][8]
06
Maria de Fátima Bezerra Castro
Parliamentary secretary in Flávio’s Senate office; subject of a PF investigation [9][10]
07
Robson Calixto Fonseca, known as Peixe
Sentenced by the STF in 2026 to 9 years for criminal organization offences, in the Marielle case proceedings [8]
Emenda Oct.–Nov. 2023 with Maria de Fátima Bezerra Castro
Peixe wrote to her: “Friend, check with our senator whether he can help us”. Flávio’s office allocated R$ 199,999.79 to the Ifop institute, in Taquara[9].
Each line is a documented act (honor, employment, budget amendment) or a family relationship, with a date. A line is not an accusation of a crime against Flávio.
View the links in a table
| Person | Status | Link | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabrício Queiroz | Flávio’s former aide. Formally accused alongside him in 2020; case closed without trial | Ex-assessor | — | [3][4][5] |
| Adriano da Nóbrega | Former military police officer. Formally accused of leading a militia in 2019; killed in 2020, without trial | Moção de louvor | Oct. 2003 | [2][1] |
| Medalha Tiradentes | Jun. 2005 | [2][1][11] | ||
| Repasses, segundo MP (with Fabrício Queiroz) | 2020 | [2][12][4] | ||
| Raimunda Veras Magalhães | Adriano’s mother. Was an aide in Flávio’s Alerj office | Emprego no gabinete | — | [5] |
| Mãe (with Adriano da Nóbrega) | — | [5] | ||
| Danielle Mendonça da Costa da Nóbrega | Adriano’s former wife. Aide in Flávio’s Alerj office from 2007 to 2018 | Emprego no gabinete | Sep. 2007 – Nov. 2018 | [6] |
| Ex-mulher (with Adriano da Nóbrega) | — | [6][12] | ||
| Major Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira | Convicted of leading a militia (2021) and of double homicide in the Marielle case (STF, 2026) | Moção de louvor | 2004 | [7][8][13] |
| Maria de Fátima Bezerra Castro | Parliamentary secretary in Flávio’s Senate office; subject of a PF investigation | Gabinete no Senado | 2023 | [9][10] |
| Robson Calixto Fonseca, known as Peixe | Sentenced by the STF in 2026 to 9 years for criminal organization offences, in the Marielle case proceedings | Emenda (with Maria de Fátima Bezerra Castro) | Oct.–Nov. 2023 | [8][9] |
Timeline
What was known in 2005
When Flávio honored Adriano (2003 and 2005) and Ronald (2004), there were no militia accusations: the formal accusation against Adriano dates from 2019[2]; Ronald’s conviction, from 2021[7]. But the medal was proposed while Adriano was in prison, accused of homicide. He was acquitted in 2007[1].
On Jornal Nacional, Flávio said Adriano “had done absolutely nothing wrong, there was nothing against him at that time”. Agência Lupa fact-checked it: false. An accusation linking him to a death in a police operation dates from May 2003, before the first honor[14].
2007
Militia, a “new type of policing”
In March 2007, as a state deputy, Flávio said: “They say militias charge fees, but I know communities where workers insist on paying R$ 15 to keep drug traffickers out”[15].
That same year, at the Alerj, he said “you cannot simply stigmatize militias” and called them a “new type of policing”. In 2019, he explained: “I am against militias, but at that time (in 2007) a discussion about what this was was just beginning”[16].
The budget amendment
“Fafá Flávio Bolsonaro”
In Peixe’s phone, the office secretary was saved as “Fafá Flávio Bolsonaro”[17]. He also wrote: “friend, don’t forget IFOP”[9]. The PF is investigating diversion of budget amendment funds; she and Peixe are targets. Flávio “was not a target”[10].
Flávio’s defense says the budget amendment complied with the law and that “responsibility for using the funds lies with the beneficiary organization, not the lawmaker”[10].
Now
The promise now
Flávio says he gave “hundreds” of honors and did not know about the accusations[16]. In 2020, he said the military police officers honored “were in prison, wrongly accused of killing a parking attendant” and concluded: “I was right!”[18].
In June this year, presenting his security plan, Flávio promised: “Terrorists will be treated as terrorists. We will designate the PCC, Comando Vermelho, militias […]”[19]. The promise is from this year; the acts span 2003 to 2023. Voting is on October 25.
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References19 sources
- 01Exame (Estadão Conteúdo) · Ex-PM estava preso quando recebeu homenagem de Flávio BolsonaroCommendation in Oct. 2003; Tiradentes Medal proposed in Jun. 2005 while Adriano was in prison, approved in Aug. 2005; acquittal in Jan. 2007.(opens in a new tab)
- 02Poder360 · Ex-PM suspeito no caso Marielle é morto em operação policial na BahiaAdriano accused of leading a militia (Operação Intocáveis, 2019) and killed in 2020; no accusation had been proven.(opens in a new tab)
- 03Poder360 · Flávio Bolsonaro é denunciado por “rachadinha” na AlerjFlávio, former aide Fabrício Queiroz and 15 others were formally accused by the MP-RJ in 2020.(opens in a new tab)
- 04InfoMoney · Gilmar nega recursos e mantém arquivado caso das “rachadinhas” de Flávio BolsonaroThe STJ invalidated rulings and evidence; the case was closed in May 2022 and remains closed.(opens in a new tab)
- 05O Povo · Flávio Bolsonaro atribui a Queiroz contratação de parentes de suposto membro do Escritório do CrimeAdriano’s mother was an aide in the office; Flávio says she was hired on Queiroz’s recommendation.(opens in a new tab)
- 06Estado de Minas · Flávio Bolsonaro tinha funcionária fantasma, diz viúva de ex-PMAdriano’s former wife was in the office from Sep. 2007 to Nov. 2018; the office’s response and closure of the case.(opens in a new tab)
- 07Amaerj (O Globo) · Major da PM é condenado a 17 anos de prisão por comandar milícia de Rio das Pedras e da MuzemaRonald sentenced to 17 years and 6 months for criminal organization offences; he led the Rio das Pedras and Muzema militia.(opens in a new tab)
- 08Conjur · STF condena irmãos Brazão por mandarem matar Marielle FrancoRonald sentenced to 56 years for double homicide and attempted homicide; Robson Calixto, to 9 years for criminal organization offences.(opens in a new tab)
- 09Poder360 · Assessora de Flávio tratou de emenda com miliciano do caso MariellePeixe’s messages to the parliamentary secretary and the R$ 199,999.79 budget amendment for Ifop.(opens in a new tab)
- 10Terra (Estadão) · PF investiga desvio de emendas negociadas entre assessora de Flávio Bolsonaro e condenado por morte de Marielle Franco, diz jornalThe PF is investigating the aide and Peixe; Flávio was not a target; Flávio’s defense on the budget amendment.(opens in a new tab)
- 11Exame · Flávio Bolsonaro visitava Adriano na prisão, diz ex-colega de celaFlávio says he only visited Adriano in prison to deliver the medal.(opens in a new tab)
- 12Gazeta do Povo · Miliciano Adriano Nóbrega integrava “núcleo” de grupo de Flávio BolsonaroAccording to the MP-RJ, Adriano transferred more than R$ 400,000 to accounts controlled by Queiroz.(opens in a new tab)
- 13Jornal do Brasil · Flávio Bolsonaro homenageou em 2004 suspeito de participar da morte de MarielleThe 2004 commendation and congratulations for Major Ronald and the operation in Conjunto Esperança.(opens in a new tab)
- 14Agência Lupa · No JN, Flávio Bolsonaro nega aquecimento global e erra sobre Pix, Dark Horse e ataques às urnasFact-check: it is false that there was nothing against Adriano at the time of the honors.(opens in a new tab)
- 15Terra · Deputado quer legalizar milícias no RioFlávio’s statement about workers who pay militias R$ 15 to keep drug traffickers out.(opens in a new tab)
- 16A Gazeta · Flávio Bolsonaro diz na TV que é contra milíciasThe 2007 statements at the Alerj, Flávio’s explanation in 2019 and the “hundreds” of honors.(opens in a new tab)
- 17CNN Brasil · Assessora de Flávio negociou emenda com condenado em caso MarielleIn Peixe’s phone, the aide was saved as “Fafá Flávio Bolsonaro”.(opens in a new tab)
- 18Metrópoles · Flávio Bolsonaro diz que Adriano era inocente quando o homenageouFlávio’s defense: the military police officers honored were wrongly imprisoned; “I was right!”.(opens in a new tab)
- 19Metrópoles · Flávio Bolsonaro defende tratar milícias como organizações terroristasThe promise to designate the PCC, Comando Vermelho and militias as terrorist organizations.(opens in a new tab)