Diego Bravo faces trial for defamation in Costa Rica

The judicial process against content creator Diego Bravo has officially commenced at the Goicoechea Criminal Court. The trial follows a lawsuit filed in 2022 by presenter Mauricio Hoffmann and makeup artist María José ‘Majo’ Ulate, who are seeking damages for 15 counts of defamation.

As part of a civil action for moral damages, the plaintiffs are requesting a total of 10 million colones, with 5 million colones for each individual. While the criminal charges for defamation carry potential fines ranging from 1 to 100 days, the parties have struggled to reach a settlement. A primary point of contention is the nature of the required apology; the plaintiffs are demanding a public apology to address the public nature of the harm, whereas Bravo has expressed a preference for a private apology.

During the initial hearing, Hoffmann and Ulate stepped out of the courtroom while the indictment was being read, as their legal counsel advised they could not be present due to their status as witnesses in the case. The trial is expected to proceed in multiple stages, including the presentation of evidence and witness testimonies.