Justice Gilmar Mendes of Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF) has formally requested that fellow Justice Alexandre de Moraes open an investigation into Romeu Zema, the former governor of Minas Gerais. The request centers on a satirical video Zema shared on social media, which Mendes argues crosses the line from political commentary into a criminal attack on the Court’s institutional integrity. The petition seeks to include Zema in the ongoing and expansive "fake news" inquiry, which targets coordinated disinformation campaigns.
The video in question features puppets portraying Mendes and Justice Dias Toffoli in a fictional dialogue. In the sketch, the puppet version of Toffoli asks for the annulment of a subpoena regarding Maridt, a company linked to his family, while the Mendes character allegedly requests perks at the Tayayá resort in return. The satire references real-world legal controversies involving the Banco Master scandal, framing judicial decisions as transactional favors rather than legal determinations.
In his representation, Mendes contends that the video "vilifies" not only his personal honor but the image of the Supreme Court itself. The move highlights the increasingly fraught boundary in Brazil between political satire and legal liability. As the STF continues its assertive stance against perceived threats to its authority, the case raises questions about the limits of digital expression when directed at the country's highest judicial officers.
With reporting from InfoMoney.
Source · InfoMoney
