A Brazilian woman, Debora Rodrigues, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for defacing a statue during political riots that erupted in January 2023. The hairdresser, aged 39, wrote the message "You lost, idiot" in lipstick on a statue of Justice situated outside the Supreme Federal Court amidst widespread unrest involving supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The chaotic events followed Bolsonaro's failure to secure re-election in 2022 and saw demonstrators attacking multiple government buildings.
Justice Cristiano Zanin, part of a five-member judicial panel, clarified that Rodrigues’ conviction was not solely for graffiti but encompassed a variety of severe offences, including destruction of property, criminal organization membership, and affiliation with an attempted coup against the newly elected President Lula da Silva.
While Rodrigues insists she merely took part in peaceful protests and did not engage in any violent acts, she has been criticized for "consciously and voluntarily" supporting the demonstrators, as highlighted by Justice Alexandre de Moraes during court proceedings. He noted that she had admitted involvement in anti-democratic behavior and that inconsistencies in her mobile phone messages pointed to attempts to hide evidence.
The controversy surrounding her case has sparked debate among Bolsonaro's followers, with many labeling Rodrigues as a victim of political suppression. Her story gained traction on social media, particularly after Bolsonaro himself called for an amnesty for those involved in the unrest while facing his own legal troubles related to the coup attempt. If convicted, Bolsonaro could serve over 40 years in custody.
