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A state court has mandated that the ex-leader compensate with R$1 million (roughly £138,000) in collective moral damages for remarks judged discriminatory during his tenure in office.

Recent Decision Comes After Prior Sentence

This new decision follows within a week after he was handed a sentence of 27 years and three months in prison for leading an attempted coup intending to reverse the conclusion of the national vote.

Details of the Racist Statements

While holding a public encounter in front of the government residence, the then-president allegedly described the natural hair of a African-descendant follower as a “nest for cockroaches.”

Furthermore, he remarked that the individual might have infestations, asking, “What lives there in that mop of hair?”

Legal Arguments and Outcome

His legal team claimed that the words were not meant to be discriminatory, noting that the man personally said he was unbothered.

Yet, the judges determined that the statements amounted to “humorous bigotry” and could not be dismissed as simple humor or free expression.

“Racial offence disguised as jocular remarks, associating natural Black hairstyles to insects linked to disgust and dirt, harms the integrity of people of color and reinforces the stigma of inferiority,” stated the presiding judge.

Context of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit was filed by government lawyers and the defender’s ministry, referencing several distinct remarks delivered by Bolsonaro during public interactions in during his term.

Although a initial judge had rejected the case, the appeals court collectively convicted Bolsonaro, though they imposed a reduced fine than the prosecution’s demand.

In addition to the defendant, the state was furthermore instructed to pay R$1 million. Both may still challenge the decision.

Current Situation of the Defendant

Currently, the ex-president remains under house arrest at his property in Brasília, prohibited from posting on social media.

The former leader has offered no response on the racism ruling.

Following the ruling, the defendant was admitted to a clinic due to a severe case of involuntary spasms, illness, and low blood pressure, stated by a sons on an online platform.

The incident followed a earlier hospital admission for the excision of skin lesions.

Political Responses

A member of his children, an elected official, commented on updates of the decision with the statement: “Democracy prevails!”

The Bolsonaro family claim that the proceedings against him are political persecution.

coup proceedings, legal representatives can still lodge a final appeal before a ruling is made on where he will serve his incarceration.