Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced Aécio Lúcio Costa, aged 51, to 17 years. He played a role in the January 8 events in Brasília.
Here are the judges’ proposed sentences:
- Moraes, Fachin, Toffoli, Fux, and Lúcia: 17 years.
- Zanin: 15 years.
- Barroso: 11 years, 6 months.
- Mendonça: 7 years, 1 month.
- Nunes Marques: 2 years, 6 months.
Court’s judgment outcome:
- Disrupting Democratic Rule: 9 votes.
- Attempted Coup: 9 votes.
- Violence-based Harm: 11 votes.
- Damaging Historic Property: 11 votes.
- Armed Criminal Group: 10 votes.
On September 14, the Court resumed proceedings. Costa, from Diadema, went to Brasília. Friends from Quartel do Sudeste 2 in São Paulo invited him.
Authorities arrested him inside the Senate building.
During a hearing, Costa denied any Senate damage. He said his aim was “fighting for freedom.”
The public prosecutor presented charges. The Court accepted them online. Witness statements were collected in July.
Relator’s Vote
The relator fully backed the public prosecutor’s charges. He also supported a R$ 30 million fine for collective moral damages.
Moraes’ comments on January 8
- Group behavior makes individual actions hard to detail.
- People can’t rally against democracy or want military rule.
- Some soldiers’ involvement doesn’t taint the entire army.
- Offenders live-streamed their acts, confident of their success.
Vote Details
- Nunes Marques proposed 2 years, 6 months. He disagreed with Moraes on severe charges.
- Zanin suggested a 15-year sentence. He believed Costa fully knew his actions.
- Mendonça saw no clear coup plan. He recommended a 7-year, 1-month sentence.
- Barroso praised the relator. He proposed 11 years, 6 months, excluding one charge.
- Ministers Fachin, Toffoli, Fux, Lúcia, Mendes, and Weber fully agreed with Moraes.
Defense
Costa’s lawyer called the charges vague. He claimed the trial was political. Costa had no weapons when arrested.
The lawyer questioned the real threat. He also felt Moraes should not judge the case.