July 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned the Brazilian judge overseeing the criminal case against former President Jair Bolsonaro, 11 days after the State Department revoked his visa.
In both agencies, Alexandre de Moraes has been accused of abusing his authority to target Bolsonaro, who is an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, other prosecutions and censorship of social media in the South American nation.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the sanctions, which include the blocking of all of his property and investments in the United States.
"Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies," Bessent said in a statement. "De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions -- including against former President Jair Bolsonaro. Today's action makes clear that Treasury will continue to hold accountable those who threaten U.S. interests and the freedoms of our citizens."
The action by the Treasury Department is based on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuses worldwide.
