The Former President Ordered to Remit Reparations for Racist Statements
A Brazilian court has ruled that Jair Bolsonaro pay R$1 million (approximately £138,000) in moral reparations for statements considered offensive during his time in the presidency.
Latest Verdict Comes After Previous Judgment
The latest ruling arrives just a week after Bolsonaro was given a prison term of over two decades and three months in prison for leading an unsuccessful power grab aimed at overturn the results of the 2022 election.
Substance of the Offensive Statements
During a live-streamed encounter near the presidential palace, he according to the case compared the textured curls of a Black supporter as a “breeding ground for insects.”
He also implied that the man might have lice, asking, “What do you breed in that thick hair?”
Legal Positions and Ruling
The defendant’s lawyers claimed that the words were not intended to cause offence, pointing out that the supporter himself expressed he was not offended.
However, the judges determined that the comments represented “casual discrimination” and went beyond simple humor or lawful opinion.
“Discriminatory language masked by playful jokes, connecting Black power hair to vermin associated with uncleanliness, damages the respect and self-worth of Black people and reinforces the prejudiced narrative,” declared one of the magistrates.
Context of the Lawsuit
This legal action was filed by government lawyers and the defender’s ministry, citing three distinct remarks uttered by the defendant during public interactions in 2021.
Even though a lower court had thrown out the suit, the review panel without dissent found guilty the defendant, though they assigned a reduced fine than the R$10m.
Besides the defendant, the state was additionally instructed to pay R$1 million. Both retain the right to challenge the verdict.
Current Status of the Former President
Now, Bolsonaro remains under house arrest at his property in the capital, restricted from accessing social media.
The former leader has not commented on the latest verdict.
Shortly after the ruling, he was admitted to a hospital due to a acute case of diaphragmatic contractions, nausea, and low blood pressure, as reported by his children on social media.
This hospitalization was subsequent to a earlier medical admission for the treatment of dermatological issues.
Personal Responses
Among his relatives, an elected official, commented on news of the ruling with the message: “Long live democracy!”
The Bolsonaro family claim that the cases against him are targeted harassment.
coup trial, Bolsonaro’s lawyers can still file a supreme court review before a determination is made on the facility he will complete his prison term.
