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Ex-presidents

Former President Bolsonaro Ordered to Pay R$150,000 in Damages for Improper Use of Children's Images and Sexist Statements

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Former President Jair Bolsonaro was ordered by the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories to pay R$150,000 in damages for improperly using images of children during the 2022 election campaign and making sexually charged statements about Venezuelan teenage girls. The decision was taken in an online plenary session with a 3-2 vote. The ruling emphasized that "freedom of expression does not cover speeches that promote stigmatization or discriminate against vulnerable groups, especially when delivered by public figures with a high capacity for social influence." The Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) filed the compensation claim, suggesting an amount of R$30 million for collective moral damages. The MP argued that Mr. Bolsonaro influenced children to make gun gestures with their hands during his reelection campaign and made a statement about an encounter with underage Venezuelan girls that generated widespread criticism.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former President Bolsonaro was ordered to pay R$150,000 in damages for improperly using images of children and making sexist statements.
  • The Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories issued the decision in an online plenary session with a 3-2 vote.
  • The ruling emphasized that freedom of expression does not cover speeches that promote stigmatization or discriminate against vulnerable groups.
  • The Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) filed a compensation claim, suggesting an amount of R$30 million for collective moral damages.
  • The MP argued that Mr. Bolsonaro influenced children to make gun gestures with their hands during his reelection campaign.
  • Mr. Bolsonaro's defense team stated that they were surprised by the decision and plan to appeal.
  • The decision cited evidence that is not present in the court records, which the defense team claims will not prevail in the Superior Court of Justice.
  • Publications of the court decision was made public on Thursday (24).

Statistics:

  • R$150,000: the amount of damages ordered by the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories.
  • 3-2: the vote count in the online plenary session that decided the case.
  • R$30 million: the amount of collective moral damages suggested by the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP).

Sources:

  • Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories.
  • Public Prosecutor's Office (MP).
  • [No specific date stated.]

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