World · Latin America · 16 hrs ago
TJMG colleagues consider referring judge’s gun photos to oversight bodies
Minas Gerais judge Roberto Apolinário de Castro posted photos with a carbine on his personal Instagram account.
The images show him with the firearm and ammunition, and the weapon was identified as a Taurus .40-calibre tactical carbine.
Colleagues at the state court are considering referring the case to oversight bodies, including Brazil’s National Council of Justice and the court’s state-level inspectorate.
Castro says the photos were taken at home, not at work, and that he is a sport shooter with legal authorization to own and carry the firearm.
Brazilian law allows judges to carry guns for personal protection, while a 2019 council resolution advises caution on social media to protect the judiciary’s credibility.
The court says it will not comment, and there is no confirmation that a formal investigation has begun.
The oversight bodies could examine the judge’s conduct if colleagues submit the case.
Judge Roberto Apolinário de Castro of the Minas Gerais Court of Justice posted Instagram photos showing him with a Taurus .40-caliber tactical carbine and ammunition.
Colleagues at the court are considering referring the matter to the National Council of Justice and the court’s inspector general.
Apolinário says the photos were taken at his home, the firearm is legally registered, and he is authorised to carry it.
He says the images relate to his private life and do not represent an institutional communication by the judiciary.
The court said it would not comment, and the reports say no formal investigation has been confirmed.
- Who
- Judge Roberto Apolinário de Castro and colleagues at the Minas Gerais Court of Justice.
- What
- Colleagues are considering referring his Instagram photos with a firearm to oversight bodies. Apolinário says the firearm is legal and the photos were taken at home.
- When
- The photos were posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The story drew attention on Wednesday, October 28.
- Where
- The photos were posted on Instagram and, according to Apolinário, were taken at his home.
- Why
- Colleagues are concerned about the photos and are considering asking oversight bodies to review the matter. Apolinário says the images concern his private life and do not show misconduct.
Colleagues considering referral
Roberto Apolinário de Castro
Nature of the photos
Colleagues considering referral
The images prompted concern among court colleagues, who are considering taking the matter to oversight bodies.
Roberto Apolinário de Castro
Apolinário says the photos were taken at home and concern his private life, not his judicial role.
Possible review
Colleagues considering referral
Colleagues intend to present the case to the National Council of Justice and the court’s inspector general.
Roberto Apolinário de Castro
Apolinário says there is no basis to presume wrongdoing from the images alone.
Firearm
Colleagues considering referral
The reports say the images show a Taurus .40-caliber tactical carbine and ammunition.
Roberto Apolinário de Castro
Apolinário says the firearm is legally registered and that he is authorised to carry it.
Apolinário posted the photos on Instagram.
News outlets reported on the images and colleagues were said to be considering referrals to oversight bodies.
- Judge
- Roberto Apolinário de Castro
- Court
- Minas Gerais Court of Justice (TJMG)
- Firearm
- Taurus tactical carbine, .40 calibre
- Instagram post
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026
- Oversight bodies
- National Council of Justice and TJMG inspector general
- Judicial role
- Member of the TJMG’s 4th Civil Chamber
3 sources
What people are saying
The images were made in my home and not in my chambers or any workplace I frequent.
There is therefore no basis to presume irregularity from the mere publication of images.
The exercise of public office does not eliminate individual rights or automatically turn every act of private life into an institutional statement.
The existence of an image involving a firearm does not, by itself, demonstrate illegality.