Brazil Seizes Argentine Lawyer’s Passport, Orders Electronic Monitoring in Ipanema Racial Abuse Probe

Overview

• Agostina Páez told investigators the primate-imitating gestures were a joke directed at friends after provocation, expressed regret, and said she did not know the acts were a crime.
• The victim and security footage indicate she used the word “mono,” imitated a monkey with sounds, and used “negro” pejoratively toward a bar employee.
• A court ordered her passport seized and electronic monitoring at the request of the 11th Police District, and Federal Police were alerted to prevent her leaving Brazil.
• The incident occurred on January 14 during a dispute over a bill at a bar in Ipanema in Rio’s South Zone.
• The investigation remains active under the 11th Police District in Rocinha as authorities assess video evidence and statements.