I just find it hard to believe that after the government tortures you that they are going to let you invoke any laws on your side. I think that the CIA has taught them different.
You are assuming that The Governments is an organ to work in a coordinated fashion: tens of thousands of people all working in perfect harmony to execute vile plans against the people; a borg of sorts.
The reality is that there are hundreds of different sub-organs each with their own agendas, that together form The Government. The law allows for many layers of appeal, and the judges in Brazil are independent to apply that law as they see fit. If a lawyer can show procedural faults, the suspect will be acquitted or at least can evade incarceration in freedom until the crime 'expires'.
Han-Wen
(not brazilian, but living there)