Brazilian Country Star Gusttavo Lima Released from Jail in Money Laundering Probe
Brazilian country music star Gusttavo Lima has been released from jail after a judge overturned his arrest in connection with a money laundering investigation, The Associated press reports.
The news comes as a relief for the singer, who has a massive following with 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 45 million Instagram followers, and 20 million YouTube subscribers.
The arrest warrant for Lima was issued by Judge Andrea Calada de Cruz in Pernambuco state. She accused the singer of facilitating the escape of two individuals involved in the investigation, which has already led to the arrest of nearly two dozen others. Judge Cruz had also requested Interpol to issue a red alert for four individuals still at large, claiming two of them traveled to Europe with Lima earlier this month and remain there.
However, another judge, Eduardo Guilliod Maranhão, granted a writ of habeas corpus to Lima, keeping him out of jail. While details of the ruling remain sealed, a court source with access to the documents told The Associated Press that the judge determined the previous arrest warrant was based on “assumptions.”
Lima’s attorneys released a statement expressing their client’s satisfaction with the habeas corpus ruling. They emphasized that he believes the prior decision aimed to secure his arrest based on unsubstantiated claims.
