Singer João Lima is currently serving his third week in the Roger Penitentiary in João Pessoa, Brazil, following his arrest on January 26 for allegedly assaulting his ex-wife, Raphaella Brilhante, who is also a physician. Security camera footage reportedly captured the assaults, leading to Lima's swift detention under the domestic violence statutes of Brazil, specifically the Lei Maria da Penha, which aims to protect victims of domestic abuse. He has been placed in a special unit designated for individuals accused of domestic violence, which currently houses around 60 inmates.

Following his arrest, João Lima spent five days in solitary confinement as part of an initial recognition period, but he has now been granted the ability to receive visitors. His legal team filed for habeas corpus on January 30 to secure his release while he awaits trial, but the request has not yet been reviewed by the judicial system. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Paraíba has already opposed this request, stating that evidence suggests a significant increase in Lima's violent behavior, thus justifying his ongoing detention.

The developments in this case are particularly significant in the context of Brazil's ongoing struggle with domestic violence, where high-profile cases often spur public discourse about the efficacy of legal protections for victims. The fact that Lima's legal situation is closely followed might shed light on broader societal issues regarding accountability for those accused of domestic abuse and how the legal system addresses such cases.