14-Year Sentence for Brazilian Woman in Controversial 'Lipstick Coup' Incident**

Debora Rodrigues receives a lengthy prison sentence for her actions amid chaos from Bolsonaro supporters, raising questions about political bias and justice in Brazil.**

A severe judgment has been handed down to a Brazilian woman who has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for her role in the disruptive events that took place in Brasilia in January 2023. Debora Rodrigues, a 39-year-old hairdresser, was part of the unrest sparked by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro, which escalated into an attack on government properties following his electoral defeat.

Rodrigues garnered attention for an incident where she inscribed an aggressive message, "You lost, idiot," in lipstick on a statue of Justice outside the Supreme Federal Court, leading to her being dubbed the face of the “lipstick coup.” Although her actions are distressing, her case was not exclusively about this instance of vandalism; she was convicted on multiple charges, which included property damage, engagement in a criminal organization, and complicity in an attempted coup against the newly inaugurated President Lula da Silva.

Judge Cristiano Zanin clarified that Rodrigues’ conviction stemmed from her overall involvement in the anti-government protests rather than just the graffiti. Throughout the trial, Rodrigues defended herself, claiming that she acted impulsively and was unaware the protests would turn violent, insisting she has always followed the law. Her legal representatives argued that she did not engage directly in acts of violence and instead was a distressed citizen caught up in the moment.

However, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the proceedings, stated that Rodrigues willingly joined the movements aimed at challenging the government. He noted evidence suggesting she attempted to hide her involvement, such as gaps in her phone communications. This case has started to take on a life of its own among Bolsonaro supporters, depicting Rodrigues as a victim of ongoing political motives, invoking concerns over judicial power and impartiality.

The discourse around her conviction gained significant traction on social media, with former President Bolsonaro himself promoting her case, calling for leniency for those caught up in the civil disorder from earlier this year. Bolsonaro, currently embroiled in his legal troubles regarding similar allegations, faces the potential of a severe sentence if found guilty of conspiracy against the government.