Brazil’s Top court Defends Clarity Amidst Criticism of Bolsonaro Trial – August 9,2025
BRASILIA – The president of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF),Luís Roberto Barroso,forcefully defended the court’s proceedings on Sunday (August 7) following demonstrations that drew comparisons between the ongoing trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro adn the contry’s past military dictatorship.
The criticism was spearheaded by São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas,a potential presidential contender,who publicly labeled justice Alexandre de Moraes a “dictator” and “tyrant.”
Responding to the attacks, Justice Barroso emphasized the stark contrast between the current legal process and the repressive tactics of the dictatorship. “What I can say is that, having lived through and fought against the dictatorship, it was there that there was no public and clear due legal process, followed by the press and by society at large. It was a world of shadows. Today, everything has been done in the light of day.The trial is a reflection of reality. In life, there is no use trying to break the mirror just as you don’t like the image,” Barroso stated.
The brazilian military dictatorship,which Bolsonaro has historically supported,systematically suppressed civil liberties,removing Supreme Court justices,suspending habeas corpus,enacting arbitrary arrests,and authorizing the torture and killing of political opponents. The current proceedings against Bolsonaro are unfolding under full public and media scrutiny,a key distinction highlighted by Justice Barroso.