On Friday, March 28, 2025, the Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, submitted a recommendation to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) advocating for house arrest for Débora Rodrigues dos Santos, a hairdresser accused of participating in the coup attempts on January 8, 2023, and vandalizing the Statue of Justice by writing the phrase 'Perdeu, mané' with lipstick. This recommendation follows a request from Débora's defense for her release, as she has been incarcerated since March 2023.
Gonet's opinion is significant as it reflects a shift in the legal proceedings against Débora, who is the mother of two young children, aged 6 and 11. He argued that her pre-trial detention could be replaced with house arrest, particularly since the investigation into her involvement in the coup has concluded. "The reasons for Débora's imprisonment remain, but, as there is no forecast for the judgment of her complaint to be concluded, she could go to the domestic regime," Gonet stated.
The case is currently under the jurisdiction of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who will make the final decision regarding Débora's potential move to house arrest. The trial to determine her guilt began last week but was interrupted by a request for more time from Minister Luiz Fux. Before the suspension, Moraes had already voted to condemn Débora to 14 years in prison, a sentence that has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about proportionality in judicial punishment.
In his vote, Moraes outlined the basis for the proposed sentence, which aggregates penalties for five charges: violent abolition of the Democratic State of Law (4 years and 6 months), coup d'état (5 years), armed criminal association (1 year and 6 months), qualified damage (1 year and 6 months), and deterioration of listed heritage (1 year and 6 months). The total of 14 years reflects the severity of Débora's actions during the coup attempts, where she was identified as actively participating in the vandalism.
During a previous hearing, Débora expressed remorse for her actions, stating, "I regret participating in the acts and defacing the statue." Her defense team has argued that her actions did not constitute a violent crime and that her continued imprisonment is excessive, particularly given her status as a mother.
Débora's situation has drawn attention, with her defense highlighting the impact of her imprisonment on her children. "This is an important step for justice. The PGR's stance confirms what we have always defended: Débora's preventive detention has become illegal and disproportionate," said one of her attorneys, Hélio Ortiz Júnior.
While the PGR has opposed her outright release, it has recognized the need for a more lenient approach in light of her family circumstances. The current legal framework allows for the substitution of preventive detention with house arrest, particularly when the accused is a caregiver for minor children.
Débora's case is emblematic of the broader tensions surrounding the January 8 events, where numerous individuals were accused of participating in violent protests that aimed to undermine the democratic process in Brazil. The vandalism of the Statue of Justice, a significant national symbol, has been particularly controversial, with the estimated damage ranging between R$2 million and R$3 million.
Supporters of Débora have also utilized her case to argue against what they perceive as excessive measures taken by the judiciary in response to the coup attempts. Some have claimed that her actions were not criminal in nature, suggesting that she merely participated in a chaotic moment without malicious intent.
In a letter to the court, Débora expressed her feelings of remorse and her desire for compassion, stating, "I wanted to ask, from the bottom of my heart, that you have compassion for me, because I am a mother who has never distanced myself from my children, and this separation has caused them a lot of suffering." She emphasized that her participation in the January 8 events was not premeditated and that she had been misled by others present.
The ongoing trial has sparked debates about the nature of justice in Brazil, especially concerning the balance between maintaining order and protecting individual rights. As the legal proceedings continue, many eyes will be on the STF to see how it navigates this complex case.
As of now, there is no scheduled date for the continuation of Débora's trial, which remains stalled due to Minister Fux's request for additional time to review the case. The outcome will not only affect Débora but could also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
With the legal landscape shifting, the implications of this case extend beyond Débora herself, touching on issues of justice, motherhood, and the responsibilities of a legal system in a democratic society.
