US sanctions Brazilian judge's support system after Bolsonaro conviction

The State Department on Monday sanctioned the support system of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, including his wife, after the Supreme Court convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro of organizing a coup to remain in office in 2022. 

Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27-years in prison for his role in the coup earlier this month. Moraes has been considered the ring-leader of the prosecution against Bolsonaro. The U.S. already sanctioned de Moraes in July.

The State Department said it was sanctioning de Moraes' wife Viviane Barci de Moraes, and their holding company, the Lex Institute. 

The Lex Institute, according to the Treasury Department, "acts as a holding company for de Moraes, owning his residence in addition to other residential properties.  The nominal ownership of many of these properties was transferred from de Moraes and his family to the Lex Institute over a decade ago. De Moraes’ wife, Viviane, is the Managing Partner of the Lex Institute and has been the sole manager and administrator of the Lex Institute since its establishment in 2000. Together, the Lex Institute and Viviane hold the de Moraes family’s wealth." 

"These sanctions build on a series of actions taken by the Trump Administration to hold Moraes accountable for abusing his authority, creating a censorship complex, blatantly targeting political opponents, and committing serious human rights abuse," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. "Those who protect and enable foreign malign actors like Moraes threaten U.S. interests and will also be held to account."

The sanctions also come after the Trump administration revoked de Moraes' visa, and the visas of his family and friends in July over his prosecution of Bolsonaro. He has also been accused of human rights violations.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.