The Donald Trump administration in the United States has imposed Magnitsky Act sanctions on lawyer Viviane Barci de Moraes, wife of Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and on the Lex institute, linked to the minister’s family. The law has already targeted Moraes since July 30.
The decision was published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
The Magnitsky Act is a mechanism provided for in U.S. legislation used to unilaterally punish alleged human rights violators abroad. Among other points, the measure blocks assets and companies of the sanctioned targets in the U.S.
Among the sanctions provided are the blocking of bank accounts, assets, and interests in assets within U.S. jurisdiction, as well as the prohibition of entry into the country.
The U.S. government’s decision was made 11 days after the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for an attempted coup. The rapporteur of the process that led to Bolsonaro’s conviction is Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
President Donald Trump is an ally of Bolsonaro and has used the Magnitsky Act as retaliation against the minister. Driven by Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of the former president’s sons, the U.S. government has also imposed economic sanctions on Brazil. Eduardo requested leave from the Chamber in March and moved abroad under the allegation of political persecution.
On August 20, the Federal Police concluded with the indictment of the congressman and his father for the crimes of coercion in the course of the process and attempted abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law. In Eduardo’s case, the indictment was due to his actions with the Trump government to promote retaliatory measures against the Brazilian government and Supreme Court justices.
Source: Agência Brasil