“Bitcoin Pharaoh’s” Wife Denied Release in Brazil: Application Rejected Over Unmet Vegan Diet Claim

Odaily 星球日报讯 The Brazilian Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) has rejected the release request of Venezuelan national Mirelis Yoseline Diaz Zerpa, the wife of “Bitcoin Pharaoh” Glaidson Acácio dos Santos, who is currently in preventive detention. Her legal team filed a habeas corpus petition, citing the prison's failure to meet her “vegan diet” requirements as one of the reasons. However, the court ruled that dietary preferences do not constitute grounds for illegal detention, and any necessary adjustments could be handled administratively by the prison system.

Presiding judge Maria Marluce Caldas stated that dietary restrictions based on personal choice do not have the legal force to overturn the validity of the detention. Therefore, the original ruling was upheld, with a recommendation that the prison makes reasonable dietary arrangements where conditions permit. Court documents show that Mirelis had been a fugitive in the United States for nearly four years before being repatriated to Brazil due to visa issues and subsequently arrested. Prosecutors have charged her with involvement in criminal organization leadership and large-scale cryptocurrency asset transfers, related to investigations such as “Operation Kryptos.”

The Brazilian Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) noted that during the investigation, cryptocurrency asset flows worth approximately 20 million Brazilian reals were identified, and related account operations were traced back to Florida, USA. Authorities believe she still has the ability to remotely control funds, posing a significant judicial risk. The case is currently under further review. (livecoins)