São Paulo prosecutors investigate Lucas Pavanato for hate speech

The Public Ministry of São Paulo (MP-SP) has opened a civil inquiry to investigate Lucas Pavanato, an elected federal deputy and current city councilor, for alleged discrimination, incitement of hostility, and hate speech. The investigation follows an October interview with Jovem Pan radio, where Pavanato stated that his political group represents a threat to the current "hegemonic ideology" and claimed that, as a minority, his opponents would be put "in their proper place."

Prosecutor Ricardo Manuel Castro is leading the inquiry, which aims to identify the specific groups targeted by these remarks and determine if they constitute violations of the Brazilian Constitution and the Inter-American Convention against Racism and Intolerance. The investigation will evaluate potential civil, electoral, or criminal liability, as well as possible collective moral damages.

Pavanato’s legal team has contested the investigation, alleging political persecution by the prosecutor. They have filed a representation with the National Council of the Public Ministry (CNMP), claiming the prosecutor is ideologically aligned with the left and has misused his position to leak documents to the press.