Senival Moura has returned to São Paulo’s City Council after 40 days in custody, but his release has settled a procedural dispute rather than the far more serious allegations surrounding him.

The PT councilman was arrested in June during Operation Última Parada, an inquiry into suspected money laundering involving Transunião, a public-transport company. Prosecutors contend Moura was among the company’s owners and that it was used to launder money linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital, or PCC. Investigators also cited R$8.6 million in bank transactions between 2019 and 2022, including R$2.3 million whose origin they said had not been identified. Moura denies ties to the criminal organization or participation in the alleged scheme.¹

The court’s decision did not address the merits of those accusations. Appellate Judge Carla Rahal ruled that Moura’s temporary detention had run beyond the period permitted by law: the initial limit was five days, making his continued custody illegal, according to the account of the ruling. That distinction lies at the center of the contrasting portrayals. The Brazil Right report foregrounded the continuing PCC and financial allegations, while the Brazil Left item framed the development as a court revoking the arrest of a councilman accused in a PCC-related scheme.²

Speaking after returning to the council chamber, Moura said authorities had treated him “like the devil” and insisted he wanted the facts clarified. “The person most interested in this investigation is Councilman Senival Moura,” he said.¹ He acknowledged a friendship of more than 30 years with Devanil de Souza Nascimento, known as “Sapo,” a former Transunião employee under investigation in a company president’s killing, but maintained that the relationship does not establish criminal involvement.¹

The release therefore restores Moura’s freedom and political platform, while leaving prosecutors’ case—and his denials—to be tested in the continuing investigation.