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The decide ordered the obstruction of justice investigation after Musk vowed to defy the courtroom order and sought impeachment.
A Brazilian decide has launched an investigation into Elon Musk for obstruction of justice after the tech mogul stated he would defy a courtroom order to take away X accounts accused of spreading disinformation.
In a ruling on Sunday, Supreme Courtroom Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated the investigation would study whether or not Musk, who owns X, was concerned in obstruction, felony group and incitement.
De Moraes wrote, “Brazil's despicable conduct of obstruction of justice, incitement to crime, public threats of disobedience to courtroom orders and lack of future cooperation from the platform are details that disrespect Brazilian sovereignty.” Disobeying judicial orders, together with reactivating an account which was ordered blocked by the Supreme Courtroom.
De Moraes stated X would face a nice of 100,000 reais ($19,770) per day for every account reinstated in defiance of the courtroom order.
“Social networks should not a land with out legislation,” de Moraes wrote.
De Moraes' order got here after Musk attacked the decide on X following an announcement by the platform that it had been ordered to dam sure accounts.
It’s not clear which accounts have been blocked or when the courtroom order was issued.
“This decide has shamelessly and repeatedly betrayed the Structure and other people of Brazil,” Musk, who additionally runs Tesla and SpaceX, stated on Twitter.
“He ought to resign or be impeached.”
Coming quickly, I’ll publish all the things requested by 𝕏 @alexandre And the way these requests violate Brazilian legislation.
This decide has shamelessly and repeatedly betrayed the Structure and other people of Brazil. He ought to resign or be impeached.
Have some Disgrace @alexandreHave some Disgrace.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 7 April 2024
Musk stated X would in all probability “lose all income” and must shut in Brazil, however “ideas matter greater than revenue”.
Musk additionally stated he would “publish all the things de Moraes requested for” and present how “these requests violate Brazilian legislation”.
Brazil's Solicitor Basic Jorge Messias, a member of the leftist authorities of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed help for de Moraes, saying in a submit on “Billionaires have management over social networks and are themselves ready to violate the rule of legislation.”
De Moraes, considered one of 11 justices on Brazil's excessive courtroom, is called a polarizing determine in Latin America's largest nation.
The decide has led efforts to fight on-line disinformation and hate speech, resulting in him being considered as a defender of democracy by many on the left and a menace to it by many on the suitable.
Since final 12 months, he has been overseeing an investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro over allegations that he was planning a army coup forward of his defeat within the 2022 presidential elections.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Tribunal, which is led by de Moraes, final 12 months banned Bolsonaro from working for workplace on prices of spreading misinformation concerning the electoral system.
Musk met with Bolsonaro throughout a go to to Brazil in 2022 to announce plans to put in his Starlink satellites over the Amazon rainforest to supply web to colleges and well being amenities in distant areas.
Throughout their assembly, Bolsonaro praised Musk as a “legend of freedom” and described his presence as “one thing religious.”