Argentine Lawyer in Rio Racism Probe Has Passport Seized, Electronic Monitoring Ordered

Overview

• Agostina Páez, 29, told police she was surprised by the summons and said the gestures were meant for her friends, not the bar staff.
• A judge, at the request of the 11th Police Precinct (Rocinha), ordered seizure of her passport and use of an electronic ankle monitor.
• Authorities said she entered Brazil using an ID card, and the Federal Police were alerted to prevent her from leaving the country with that document.
• The incident occurred on Jan. 14 in an Ipanema bar after a bill dispute, with the victim reporting pejorative use of the term “negro” and staff citing video of monkey imitations and animal sounds.
• The investigation remains active, and reporters have sought comment from her defense with no response reported so far.