After new putschist threat, Brazil top court bans roadbloacks
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes today (Jan. 11) ordered public security forces throughout Brazil—including the military police—to prevent any attempts to block roads and occupy public buildings. Offenders are to be arrested in flagrante delicto.
The decision grants a request filed yesterday by the country’s Attorney-General Jorge Messias, asking for the appropriate measures ahead of pro-coup demonstrations scheduled for 6 pm Wednesday (11) across the country. Flyers and messages from radical groups on instant messaging app Telegram were attached to the document.
Whoever storms public buildings or stimulates traffic disruptions anywhere in the country is also subject to a BRL 20 thousand fine, in addition to being arrested in flagrante delicto. If a legal entity is involved, the amount rises to BRL 100 thousand. Any vehicle violating the ban must be identified and have its permission to circulate restricted.
The fines apply not only to direct participants but also those encouraging violations, including online, and anyone providing logistic or financial support to demonstrations undermining the rule of law.
The justice also ordered Telegram to block a list of accounts, channels, and group chats within two hours from the notification, under penalty of a daily BRL 100 thousand fine. Account data and the content must be sent to court authorities and preserved by the app.
Justice Moraes wrote that the information provided by the Attorney-General’s Office “proves there is a criminal organization aiming to de-stabilize republican institutions,” furthering mentioning the existence “of an online network of supporters who systematically work to create or share messages ultimately aiming to overthrow of the democratic structure and the rule of law in Brazil.”
In the motion, the attorney-general warns that the country “is on the verge of a serious situation” similar to the one observed Sunday (8), when groups of pro-coup rioters stormed and ravaged the National Congress, the Planalto presidential palace, and the Supreme Court in Brasília.
