Brazil ex-President Bolsonaro Fined for Racist Remarks

A Brazilian Federal Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to pay 1 million reais in damages for racially charged statements made during his presidency. The controversial comments were made in 2021 to a Black supporter. Bolsonaro quipped about seeing a cockroach in the man's hair, likening it to an unclean area.

His legal team has yet to make a public statement in response to the court's decision. Previously, they argued that the remarks were intended as humor, not offense. This development follows a heavier Supreme Court sentence of over 27 years for Bolsonaro, linked to his role in a coup attempt post the 2022 elections.

As the court ruling emerged, Bolsonaro was reportedly hospitalized in Brasília following an illness while under house arrest. These legal battles continue to unfold against a backdrop of political instability and public scrutiny in Brazil.