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An appeals court has ordered that the former president pay R$1 million (approximately £138,000) in public compensation for statements judged discriminatory during his period in power.

Fresh Ruling Follows Previous Conviction

This decision follows just a week after he was handed a sentence of over two decades and three months in incarceration for orchestrating an unsuccessful power grab intending to nullify the conclusion of the national vote.

Substance of the Offensive Remarks

While holding a live-streamed encounter near the government residence, the then-president according to the case compared the natural hair of a African-descendant follower as a “breeding ground for insects.”

Furthermore, he suggested that the individual might have lice, questioning, “What grows in that thick hair?”

Court Positions and Outcome

The defendant’s lawyers claimed that the words were not intended to insult, noting that the supporter himself stated he was unbothered.

However, the court concluded that the language represented “recreational racism” and were not simple humor or free expression.

“Discriminatory language disguised as humorous comments, associating afro-textured hair to pests linked to disgust and dirt, harms the respect and self-worth of Black people and strengthens the stigma of inferiority,” stated Judge Roger Raupp Rios.

Context of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit was brought by public prosecutors and the legal aid service, citing several distinct remarks uttered by Bolsonaro during online broadcasts in that year.

While a initial judge had dismissed the case, the appeals court unanimously convicted him, though they assigned a reduced penalty than the R$10m.

Besides Bolsonaro, the state was also directed to pay R$1 million. The parties can still contest the decision.

Current Situation of the Defendant

At present, Bolsonaro remains under home confinement at his mansion in his home, barred from using digital networks.

He has offered no response on the discrimination case.

Soon after the court decision, he was taken to a medical facility due to a acute episode of diaphragmatic contractions, vomiting, and hypotension, according to one of his offspring on a post.

The incident was subsequent to a previous hospital admission for the treatment of dermatological issues.

Family Statements

One of Bolsonaro’s children, a politician, shared updates of the decision with the message: “Long live democracy!”

His relatives claim that the legal actions against him are motivated by bias.

coup trial, his defense team are expected to lodge a supreme court review before a decision is made on the facility he will serve his sentence.