The defense of hairdresser Débora Rodrigues dos Santos, known as “Débora do Batom”, entered the Federal Supreme Court (STF) on Friday, 1st, asking for a reduction in sentence based on the fact that she was known for having spray-painted the statue of Justice in the coup attacks of January 8, 2023, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
In practice, the bill paves the way for the reduction of sentences imposed on those convicted of crimes against democracy. The proposal was approved by Congress and then vetoed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. On Thursday, the 30th, parliamentarians overturned the veto.
Débora was convicted of the crimes of violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, coup d’état, qualified damage, deterioration of listed property and armed criminal association.
According to investigations, she spray-painted the phrase “Perdeu, mané” with lipstick on the statue, which is in front of the STF headquarters, during the anti-democratic acts of January 8, 2023. Débora has been under house arrest since March 2025.
In the request sent to the Supreme Court, lawyers for “Débora do Batom” argue that the most beneficial criminal law is retroactive to benefit the defendant.
The law, however, is not yet officially in force, as it still needs to be promulgated by President Lula. After that, political parties or the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) can still question the constitutionality of the rule before the STF.
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When the law comes into force, the benefit will not be automatic: defendants convicted of anti-democratic acts will be able to ask the STF for a readjustment of their sentence, including former president Jair Bolsonaro.
