Court Orders Instagram to Remove Video Linking PT to Drug Trafficking

The 2nd Civil Court of Brasília has mandated the removal of a controversial video from Instagram. The content, published by Deputy Paulo Bilynskyj on January 3, targeted the Workers' Party (PT) by linking it to drug trafficking activities.

Judge Luciana de Oliveira signed the ruling on Wednesday, January 7, concluding that the video's claims lacked evidentiary support. The court found that the publication crossed the line from protected political speech into defamation. The PT successfully argued that the false imputation of criminal ties damaged their reputation and standing in public opinion.

The 2nd Vara Cível de Brasília issued a decisive order requiring Instagram to take down the video in question. The court document explicitly states that the content "ultrapassa o campo da crítica legítima" (exceeds the field of legitimate criticism). This determination was made based on the civil liability implications of the publication.

The ruling emphasizes the distinction between political debate and illicit conduct. While political discourse is recognized as a space for the clash of ideas, the court maintained that accusing a political party of penal infractions without proof is not protected speech. Consequently, the act enters the sphere of civil wrongdoing.

During the judicial process, the Workers' Party presented a robust defense against the allegations. The party sustained that the video published by Paulo Bilynskyj imputed false connections to criminal organizations. They argued that this resulted in a "grave abalo à sua honra objetiva e à sua imagem perante a opinião pública" (serious damage to its objective honor and image before public opinion).

The PT's legal team focused on the lack of evidence supporting the drug trafficking claims. They argued that while political engagement naturally involves the clash of ideas, the specific accusation of criminal illicit acts without any evidentiary basis goes beyond legitimate criticism. This stance was fully supported by the court's final decision.

Deputy Paulo Bilynskyj, affiliated with the Liberal Party (PL) representing São Paulo, released the video on January 3. The content immediately drew attention for its severe accusations against the PT. The video was intended for dissemination across social media platforms.

The Distrito Federal justice system acted swiftly following the PT's complaint. The decision was signed just four days after the video's initial publication. This rapid response underscores the judiciary's stance on preventing the spread of unverified criminal accusations within the political landscape.

This case sets a significant precedent regarding the limits of political speech on social media. The ruling clarifies that accusing opponents of serious crimes like drug trafficking without proof can lead to civil liability. It reinforces the protection of political entities against slanderous attacks disguised as commentary.

The obligation now falls on Instagram to enforce the court's order and remove the video. This highlights the responsibility of social media platforms in moderating content that violates civil laws, particularly when it involves false imputations of criminal conduct.