Justice Alexandre de Moraes demanded that Musk appoint a new legal representative for X Brasil after Musk closed down operations two weeks ago.
The Brazilian Supreme Court has said that it would suspend social media platform X unless Elon Musk appoints a new legal representative within 24 hours.
In a court order published on X at 6 p.m. local time on Aug. 28, Justice Alexandre de Moraes demanded that Musk appoint a new legal representative for X Brasil in response to a petition filed against the company.
De Moraes said that if Musk fails to comply with requirements within 24 hours, the court will order the immediate suspension of X’s operations in Brazil.
On Aug. 17, the social media company closed operations in Brazil to protect staff, saying its legal representative in Brazil had been threatened with arrest if the company did not comply with a court order.
Musk responded to the latest Supreme Court order on Aug. 29 on X with an AI image of de Moraes behind bars.
He wrote in the post: “One day, @Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words.”
While Musk accuses Brazil of censorship, Brazilian authorities insist that X is breaking the country’s internet laws.
Earlier this year, de Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts, as he investigates so-called digital militias accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
X owner Musk was included as part of the criminal inquiry into people who allegedly spread false information about Brazil’s election and justice system.
Court Orders
On April 7, de Moraes said Musk will be probed for alleged obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement, according to multiple reports.
“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,” the judge said.
He said the social media platform “shall refrain from disobeying any court order already issued, including performing any profile reactivation that has been blocked by this Supreme Court.”
The justice warned that X will face a fine of 100,000 reais (about $19,740) per day if it fails to comply with the court order.
By Owen Evans
