The book “Advocacia da Liberdade — A Defesa nos Processos Políticos”, “Advocacy of Freedom — The Defense in Political Processes”, by legal scholar Heleno Fragoso, was relaunched this Wednesday (26) at the 32nd IBCCRIM International Seminar on Criminal Sciences in São Paulo (SP). Grandsons of the author, partners at Fragoso Advogados, and updaters of the work Christiano Fragoso, Rodrigo Falk Fragoso, and João Pedro Gradim Fragoso welcomed attendees in the event foyer following the opening lecture. The new edition of the book, published by Thomson Reuters/Revista dos Tribunais, pays tribute to Heleno’s centenary.
The work recovers accounts by Heleno Fragoso about his work defending political prisoners during the Military Dictatorship. The lawyer was at the forefront of emblematic cases, such as those of student Stuart Angel Jones, congressman Francisco Pinto, and the family of Vladimir Herzog, who was murdered at the 2nd Army’s DOI-CODI in São Paulo in 1975. The new version of the book, published by Thomson Reuters/Revista dos Tribunais, features over 160 notes to contextualize the cases defended by Heleno during the dictatorship, newspaper clippings about the reported proceedings, and copies of judgments published by the Superior Military Court.
For Rodrigo Fragoso, it was a source of pride to participate in honoring his grandfather’s memory, especially in the year celebrating his centenary. “The stories of the dictatorship, an open wound in Brazilian society, must be remembered so they are never repeated. Furthermore, we are living through a very difficult moment in criminal defense, with lawyers losing their assertiveness. The cases recounted in the book revive the profession’s best practices, as well as its courage, independence, and intellectual stature. It is a work that speaks to the true role of defense attorneys in the Justice system,” he stated.
Christiano also celebrated the relaunch. “It was very moving to relaunch this book by my grandfather. It is my favorite of his works, as it is an account of the defenses he conducted in political trials during the dictatorship and, on top of that, it is dedicated to my father, Fernando, and my uncle, Zeca. I think that we, the grandchildren, were also able to contribute to the work by including newspaper articles from that time and previously unpublished court decisions,” highlighted the criminal lawyer.
Rodrigo hopes that readers, especially younger ones, will feel inspired by Heleno Fragoso’s stories. “My most genuine and sincere wish is for new generations of lawyers to read and develop the ability to know themselves and have the courage to become great attorneys. During the book signing, I wrote this quite a lot,” he said.
The book is available for purchase on the website of publisher Thomson Reuters/Revista dos Tribunais.
See also: Elio Gaspari highlights major Heleno Fragoso cases during the dictatorship in newspaper column O Globo and Folha de S. Paulo.
Photos: Gerson Areias
