Santa Catarina Court Orders Luciano Hang to Pay Lula R$33,000 Over Offensive Banner Campaign

Overview

• The 1st Civil Chamber of the Santa Catarina Court of Justice unanimously ruled on Oct. 30 that Luciano Hang must pay about R$33,000 in moral damages to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
• The case stems from Hang financing airplane banners over Santa Catarina beaches in the 2019–2020 summer with phrases attacking Lula, including “Lula cachaceiro, devolve meu dinheiro” and “Lula na cadeia, eu com o pé na areia.”
• The decision reverses a 2023 first‑instance ruling that had rejected Lula’s claim on the grounds that public figures are subject to criticism.
• Relator Judge Flávio André Paz de Brum wrote that the conduct exceeded freedom of expression because the banners were personal, humiliating, and lacked public interest, affirming that free speech is not absolute.
• Hang can appeal the second‑instance ruling, and reports said his legal team had not responded to requests for comment as of publication.