maintained that the action had prescribed, because in 1975, when Vladimir Herzog was tortured and murdered, Brazilian law did not recognize the criminal imprescriptibly. He also argued that “in Brazil custom is not a source of criminal law drawn upon to create rules against the individual being investigated or accused.”256 He therefore reasoned that “the author of Vladimir Herzog’s murder cannot be punished pursuant to a criminal case conducted by Brazil’s domestic courts”257 and requested that the submissions be shelved.258 128. In its decision of January 9, 2009, the substitute Federal Judge, Paula Mantovani Avelino of the 1st Federal Criminal Court259 ordered that the case be closed, accepting the arguments of the Prosecutor with criminal authority260. The case was closed on January 12, 2009.261 vi. Public Civil Suit brought by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) 129. According to the case file, on May 14, 2008 the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) filed a Public Civil Suit against the Federal Union and against the former commanders of the Second Army’s DOI/CODI in São Paulo, Audir Santos Maciel and Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra.262 The suit states that the Second Army’s DOI/CODI/SP “[w]as among the most notorious locations in the country’s history for torture, murder and forced disappearances perpetrated by agents of the State.” 263 130. The Public Civil Suit requested, inter alia, to determine the responsibility of former commanders Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra and Audir Santos Maciel the “payment of the damages” “paid out of the National Treasury pursuant to Law 9.140/9[5]” 264 and for reparations for the collective moral damages caused.265 131. On May 5, 2010, the Judge of the 8th Chamber of the São Paulo Federal Court [“8ª Vara da Justiça Federal em São Paulo”] delivered a judgment in which he declared the suit brought against former commanders Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra and Audir Santos Maciel to be inadmissible based on the inadequacy of the appeal and the application of Law 6.683/79, known as the Amnesty Law.266 The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office appealed that decision. The ruling on the appeal is still pending as of the date of the present report.267. 256 Texto original: “[c]ostume não pode ser fonte de Direito Penal no Brasil para criar regras contra o investigado ou réu”. Proceso 2008.61.81.013434-2 Justiça Federal - São Paulo, Volume 1, fls. 45, Solicitud de promoción de archivamiento del Procurador de la Republica Fabio Elizeu Gaspar, del 12 de septiembre de 2008. 257 Texto original: “[i]mpossibilidade de punição do autor de homicídio contra Vladimir Herzog no âmbito de uma persecução penal a ser conduzida por órgãos internos brasileiros”. Proceso 2008.61.81.013434-2 Justiça Federal - São Paulo, Volume 1, fls. 49/50, Solicitud de promoción de archivamiento del Procurador de la Republica Fabio Elizeu Gaspar, del 12 de septiembre de 2008. 258 Texto original: “[p]ela ocorrência de coisa julgada material ou, não adotado esse entendimento, pela consumação da prescrição da pretensão punitiva”. Proceso 2008.61.81.013434-2 Justiça Federal - São Paulo, Volume 1, fls. 50, Solicitud de promoción de archivamiento del Procurador de la Republica Fabio Elizeu Gaspar, del 12 de septiembre de 2008. 259 Proceso 2008.61.81.013434-2 Justiça Federal - São Paulo, Volume 7, fls. 1381 y 1385, Decisión de la Juez Federal sustituta Paula Mantovani Avelino, del 9 de enero de 2009. 260 Proceso 2008.61.81.013434-2 Justiça Federal - São Paulo, Volume 7, fls. 1381 y 1385, Decisión de la Juez Federal sustituta Paula Mantovani Avelino, del 9 de enero de 2009. 261 Proceso 2008.61.81.013434-2 Justiça Federal - São Paulo, Volume 7, fls. 1394, Decisión de la Juez Federal sustituta Paula Mantovani Avelino, del 9 de enero de 2009. 262 Petición Inicial de la Ação Civil Pública No. 2008.61.00.011414-5, del 14 de mayo de 2008. 263 Texto original: “[s]e caracterizou por ter sido um dos principais locais de prática de tortura e perpetração de homicídios e desaparecimentos forçados por agentes estatais na historia do país”. Petición Inicial de la Acción Civil Pública No. 2008.61.00.011414-5, fls. 5, del 14 de mayo de 2008 264 Texto original: “[s]uportadas pelo Tesouro Nacional na forma da Lei No. 9.140/9[5]”. Petición Inicial de la Ação Civil Pública No. 2008.61.00.011414-5, fls. 73, del 14 de mayo de 2008. 265 Petición Inicial de la Acción Civil Pública No. 2008.61.00.011414-5, fls. 73, del 14 de mayo de 2008. 266 Proceso No. 2008.61.00.011414-5. 8ª Vara da Justiça Federal em São Paulo. Sentencia del 5 de mayo de 2010, fls. 18 y 20. 267 Recurso de apelación No. 0011414-28.2008.4.03.6100 del 17 de enero de 2011. Disponible para consulta en: www.trf3.jus.br 32