Judge sanctioned by U.S. hails Brazil's constitution for guaranteeing independent judiciary

SAO PAULO, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Supreme Federal Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who the United States sanctioned for putting former President Jair Bolsonaro on trial, praised Brazil's constitution on Monday for guaranteeing a strong and independent judiciary by repelling external and internal pressures.

"Since 1988, the Constitution has granted independence and autonomy to the judiciary -- financial, administrative and operational autonomy -- and its members full independence to judge in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without domestic, foreign, or any other type of pressure," he said in a speech in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo.

Moraes noted that an individual cannot invalidate decisions made by the Supreme Federal Court.

Moraes' remarks came amid escalating criticism from Washington in retaliation for his role in the ongoing trial of Bolsonaro.

The U.S. government placed Moraes on its list of individuals subject to financial and other sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, a law used to punish foreigners accused by Washington of human rights violations or corruption. ■