International

Brazil President Bolsonaro to be sued for removing mask during his COVID-19 positive announcement.

Published on July 9, 2020

Brazil’s Press Association will sue President Bolsonaro for endangering the lives of journalists in an interview.

The President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, will be sued by Brazil’s press association for potentially endangering the lives of a group of journalists by removing his face mask during an interview about his COVID-19 diagnosis. Sources claimed that President Bolsonaro lowered his mask to say that he was feeling well.

Social distance not maintained by Bolsonaro:

In a statement released by Brazil’s press association, also known as the ABI, it is claimed that adequate social distance was not maintained by Bolsonaro on Tuesday when in a press conference he announced that he had tested positive for the novel COVID-19 virus. In an attempt to show that he was doing fine, despite catching the deadly virus, Bolsonaro backed away from the reporters to remove his mask.

Brazil’s penal code was violated:

The ABI President Paulo Jeronimo de Sousa in a statement said,” Despite knowing he was infected with COVID-19, President Jair Bolsonaro continues to act in a criminal manner and endanger the lives of others. The country cannot watch continued behavior that is beyond irresponsible and constitutes clear crimes against public health, without reacting”. As per the ABI, several sections of Brazil’s penal code, which “prohibits anyone suffering from a serious illness to knowingly, transmit the disease to other people” were violated by Bolsonaro.

Marcelo Freixo to sue Brazil Prez Bolsonaro:

Congressman Marcelo Freixo too announced that he will be suing the President for being irresponsible of a global pandemic and filed a lawsuit with Brazil’s Federal Attorney’s Office. Freixo tweeted,” The President violated Articles 131 and 132 of the Penal Code by removing his mask during his interview in which he announced that he has the coronavirus.” All the reporters and ministers who had come in close contact with the President have been placed in quarantine.