Alexandre de Moraes classifies Bolsonaro supporters as "underworld militiamen" and "traitors to the nation."

247 - During the reopening session of the judicial year, this Friday (1st), the Minister of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes made a strong statement against the attacks on the Court, classifying those involved in acts of institutional sabotage as “militiamen from the underworld of crime”. In his speech, the magistrate stated that these actions are promoted by a “criminal organization” that, in a “cowardly and treacherous” manner, tries to subjugate the STF to foreign interests and pressure the Judiciary through threats.

“We have recently seen the actions of several Brazilians who are either being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office or investigated by the Federal Police,” Moraes stated. According to him, this is a group that acts in a malicious, conscious, and coordinated manner, unlike anything ever seen in the country. “These 'pseudo-patriotic' Brazilians are fugitives and hiding outside the national territory. They didn't have the courage to stay here,” he declared.

Treason against the nation and attempted obstruction of justice. In his speech, the minister highlighted that the actions of this group aim to directly interfere in the trial of Criminal Action 2.668, which deals with the central core of the attempted coup d'état on January 8, 2023. "They act through hostile, deceitful acts, derived from spurious and criminal negotiations," he denounced. Moraes reiterated that there is "ample evidence" of these actions, including cooperation with foreign authorities to impose sanctions and harm the national economy.

According to him, these actions have a clear objective: to generate an economic crisis that provokes social instability and puts pressure on the Supreme Federal Court and the National Congress. "The insistence of this criminal organization on implementing measures harmful to Brazil aims to create a serious crisis to politically pressure the Judiciary and the Legislature," warned Moraes.

Modus operandi of a scam and public blackmail - Alexandre de Moraes pointed out that the group's strategy is a repetition of the coup-plotting script already condemned by the Supreme Federal Court (STF). "Before, encampments in front of military barracks and the invasion of the Three Powers Square. Now, the encouragement of taxes against Brazil, the economic crisis, and political instability," he enumerated. The minister stated that the threats and blackmail are not limited to the Judiciary: "Amazingly! One of the Brazilians investigated and recently a fugitive made direct threats to the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate."

According to him, the intention is clear: "to obtain an unconstitutional amnesty or the opening of impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court justices." Moraes highlighted that the attempts at coercion are also directed at the Attorney General's Office and the Federal Police, with the goal of achieving a "spurious immediate dismissal" of criminal cases.

Threats against ministers and their families - The minister issued a serious warning about the escalation of threats, which are now affecting the families of the magistrates. "These defendants are not only threatening Supreme Court justices, but also—and they do this daily on social media—threatening the families of the justices," he denounced. According to him, this type of practice reveals "an attitude typically associated with underworld criminal militias."

Moraes cited explicit threats directed at ministers Luís Roberto Barroso, Gilmar Mendes, and Cristiano Zanin, including specific mentions of the magistrates' wives. "This demonstrates that there are no limits to the audacity and cowardice of this criminal organization, which will be held fully accountable," he asserted.

Institutions will not succumb to blackmail. According to the minister, the pressure will be ineffective. "This criminal organization is mistaken in hoping that the continuation of this vile coercion will generate a cowardly surrender by the Brazilian powers," he said. He emphasized the strength of the country's institutions and affirmed that the Supreme Federal Court will continue to act firmly in defense of the 1988 Constitution.

"National sovereignty cannot, must not, and will never be violated, negotiated, or extorted," he stated. "The Supreme Court will be absolutely inflexible in defending national sovereignty and in its commitment to democracy, fundamental rights, and the rule of law."

Defending judicial independence as a citizen's right. In his closing remarks, Alexandre de Moraes invoked the memory of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, to reinforce the value of judicial independence. “'The most important principles can and should be inflexible.' Judicial independence is one of those principles,” he declared. According to him, this independence is not a privilege of the magistrate, but a fundamental right of the citizen.

"Society has the right to effective judicial protection, to a trial and judgment by an independent and impartial court. Nowhere in the world can a true democratic rule of law be conceived without an autonomous judiciary," the minister concluded.