Punishment is far superior to crime

The billionaire founder of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, criticized the 17-year prison sentence imposed by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) on motoboy Wellington Luiz Firmino for participating in the January 8 demonstration. Firmino climbed 28 floors and was isolated at the top of one of the Congress towers for more than an hour.

“Unless there is something missing here, the punishment is far greater than the crime,” wrote Musk when commenting on a post made on the social network X about the case.

“A Brazilian photographer and Bolsonaro supporter, Wellington Luiz Firmino, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for climbing to the top of a government building to film the massive pro-Bolsonaro protest on January 8, 2023. He had no prior record and no deserves this. The Court is sending a message to anyone who dares to protest the woke leftist establishment,” says the original post.

After Musk’s comment, the profile reinforced: “Many Brazilians who protested last January remain in prison without charges or trials. It’s a scam.”

In an interview with People’s Gazette, on February 11, 2024, Firmino said he entered the National Congress building, which had its doors open, and fled to the fire escape when riot police entered, throwing bombs at peaceful protesters. He was arrested when he tried to return. From above the building, Firmino recorded images of the demonstration.

The STF minister and rapporteur of the 8/1 actions, Alexandre de Moraes, called for Firmino’s conviction for “abolition of the democratic state, coup d’état, qualified damage, criminal association and deterioration of listed property”.