Overview

• Thays Bessa, a deputy chief at Dourados’ community police station, was targeted by racist and misogynistic comments during a live interview and described feeling deep discomfort and indignation.
• On Oct. 7, investigators detained an 18-year-old who confessed to posting the insults and was indicted on calúnia, difamação and injúria racial, and will answer the case in freedom.
• The inquiry proceeds under Law 14,532/2023, which equates injúria racial to racism and carries penalties of two to five years in prison and a fine.
• Technical analysis traced even deleted comments to accounts, and police say other participants, including those using suspected fake profiles, have been identified and will be held accountable.
• The state delegates’ association (Adepol/MS), the Dourados Civil Police and the municipal Afro-Brazilian rights council (COMAFRO) issued statements of support and repudiation of the offenses.