In a turn of events, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge has initiated an investigation into tech mogul Elon Musk for alleged obstruction of justice. The investigation stems from Musk’s public declaration that he would defy a court order mandating the removal of certain accounts accused of disseminating disinformation. This move by the Brazilian judiciary has ignited a legal showdown, shedding light on the intricate intersection of digital platforms, legal jurisdiction, and corporate accountability.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, in a decision announced on Sunday, revealed the launch of a probe aimed at scrutinizing Musk’s actions. The investigation will delve into whether Musk, who owns the platform in question, engaged in acts of obstruction, criminal organization, and incitement, as alleged by the court. The decision underscores the gravity of the situation, as Musk’s conduct is seen as a direct affront to Brazilian justice and sovereignty.
This is not the first instance when Musk has received a verdict from the court. In February this year, Musk also faced a blow when Delaware Court of Chancery Invalidated his $55.8 Billion Equity Compensation Package
Alexandre de Moraes slams Elon Musk
Justice de Moraes one of the 11 judges on Brazil’s high court, also known as a polarizing figure in Brazil, has emphasized the need for adherence to legal directives within the digital realm, as he stated, “Social networks are not lands without laws.” He recently released a statement that mandated that Musk’s platform refrain from disobeying court orders, including the reinstatement of any accounts previously ordered blocked by the Supreme Court as it read, “refrain from disobeying judicial orders, including by reactivating an account that the Supreme Court ordered blocked”.
He also wrote, “The flagrant conduct of obstruction of Brazilian justice, incitement of crime, the public threat of disobedience of court orders and future lack of cooperation from the platform are facts that disrespect the sovereignty of Brazil,”. Failure to comply with the order served to him could result in substantial fines, with each reinstated account potentially incurring penalties of 100,000 reais ($19,770) per day.
Rallying behind the Supreme Court Justice, Brazil’s Solicitor General Jorge Messias, a member of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s leftist government, recently took to X to consolidate the stance of de Moraes as he said, “We cannot live in a society in which billionaires domiciled abroad have control of social networks and put themselves in a position to violate the rule of law.”
Elon Musk retorts on X
The court’s decision followed a series of confrontational remarks by Musk directed at the judge via his platform X. In response to an announcement that certain accounts had been instructed to be blocked, Musk openly criticized the judge, accusing him of repeated violations against Brazil’s constitution and its citizens.
While defending himself he reposted a statement on X where he could be heard saying, “We kept getting these demands from Judge Alexandre to suspend accounts of sitting members of the parliament and major journalists. We could not tell them that this was at the behest of Alexandre, we had to pretend that it was due to our rules”.
Musk, who also oversees Tesla and SpaceX, called for the judge’s resignation or impeachment, intensifying the already tense legal standoff as he wrote, “He should resign or be impeached.”
Musk took to X and quoted, “This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil,”. Musk said X would probably “lose all revenue” and have to shut in Brazil, but that “principles matter more than profit” reports Al Jazeera. Through another tweet, he said, “X will publish everything demanded by [Moraes] and how those requests violate Brazilian law”.
Marcel van Hattem member of the Brazilian Congress “Elon, you are currently aiding Brazil more than many members of the Brazilian House and Senate. You are representing millions of Brazilians who oppose censorship and tyranny far better than their elected representatives, who still refuse to investigate and impeach Supreme Court justices. “
As a member of the Brazilian Congress who has been exposing and combatting the abuses of our Supreme Court for years, I want to express my deepest gratitude to @elonmusk.
Elon, you are currently aiding Brazil more than many members of the Brazilian House and Senate. You are… pic.twitter.com/dwp29ZXaCS
— Marcel van Hattem (@marcelvanhattem) April 8, 2024
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