Romagaga Freed After Custody Hearing in São Paulo Hotel Case

Overview

• Romagaga was released on Sunday following a custody hearing, a day after being arrested during an incident at a hotel on Rua Augusta and booked at the 78th Police District.
• The São Paulo court imposed conditions that include staying away from the hotel, notifying any absence from the district longer than eight days, and checking in monthly at the courthouse, with violations risking immediate re-arrest.
• The case was initially classified by the state public security department as disobedience, contempt of authority, indecent exposure, threat, intoxication and trespass.
• According to the official account, she claimed the manager stole her phone, the manager reported threats and attempted damage, police say the phone was with her, and she allegedly started a livestream and removed her clothes; videos circulating online show her accusing authorities of abuse and reporting racist and transphobic insults.
• Her attorney says the detention lacked legal grounds and that the defense will seek civil, criminal and administrative accountability for alleged abuse of authority and homophobia, citing Supreme Court precedent equating homophobia with racial injury.