‘Lipstick coup’ suspect sentenced to 14 years in Brazilian jail over nonviolent crime
A Brazilian protester, Debora Rodrigues, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for writing a message in lipstick on a statue during demonstrations in 2023. The 39-year-old was convicted of involvement with a criminal organization with the intent to launch a coup, as reported by the BBC.
Rodrigues, a supporter of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, participated in protests after Bolsonaro lost to now-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential election. She, along with hundreds of Bolsonaro supporters, took part in the protest, during which she wrote, “You lost, idiot” on the statue of Justice outside the Supreme Federal Court.
Despite her actions, Rodrigues claimed that she did not expect to face prosecution for her message and stated that she was unaware of the extent of the protests. She asserted, “I have never done anything illegal in my life.”
According to Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Rodrigues consciously aligned herself with protesters seeking to overthrow the Brazilian government. He also accused her of concealing evidence by potentially deleting messages on her phone and admitted to taking part in “anti-democratic acts.”
The sentence imposed on Rodrigues has sparked debates among Bolsonaro supporters, who argue that they are victims of political persecution by the left-wing Lula administration working in collaboration with Brazil’s Supreme Court. Bolsonaro himself has called for amnesty for Rodrigues in a post on X.
In a related development, Bolsonaro was ordered to stand trial in March over an alleged coup attempt to remain in office following his 2022 election defeat. The Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that he is not eligible to run in the 2026 elections, intensifying the ongoing power struggle between Bolsonaro and Lula.
The case of Debora Rodrigues serves as a reminder of the tensions and political divisions in Brazil, as well as the consequences of participating in acts that are perceived as threats to the democratic process.
