STF Sentences Nelson Ribeiro Fonseca Júnior to 17 Years for Stealing Neymar-Signed Ball in 2023 January 8 Attacks, Orders R$30 Million Damages

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) of Brazil has condemned Nelson Ribeiro Fonseca Júnior to 17 years in prison for his involvement in the January 8, 2023, attacks on the country's federal institutions. Fonseca Júnior was found guilty of stealing a soccer ball autographed by Brazilian national team player Neymar Jr. during the invasion of the Chamber of Deputies, an act that was part of the broader anti-democratic events on that day. The court's decision was delivered by STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who linked the theft and other actions to an attempted coup d'état. The ruling also includes a collective moral damages payment of 30 million Brazilian reais. This verdict marks one of several harsh sentences voted by Moraes against individuals involved in the January 8 incidents, including leaders of camps supporting the coup attempt and financiers of the events.