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[POLITICS] · Brazil · 57 sources

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Flávio Bolsonaro legal team files complaint over patron saint disinformation

A disinformation campaign involving false claims that Flávio Bolsonaro intended to strip Nossa Senhora Aparecida of her title as Patroness of Brazil has triggered significant legal and political conflict in Brazil.

The rumor, which generated over 180,000 comments in 20 hours, was traced back to a 2007 legislative proposal by former deputy Victório Galli. That project, which was archived in 2008, sought to change the title to 'Patroness of Roman Catholic Brazilians,' but had no connection to Flávio Bolsonaro.

In response, Flávio Bolsonaro's legal team filed a criminal complaint against 29 social media profiles and requested the preventive arrest of George Marques, a coordinator at the Social Communication Secretariat (Secom). The defense alleges Marques encouraged the spread of the falsehood by requesting that users not stop sharing the controversy. Marques has denied intentionality, claiming any reposting may have been an error.

Meanwhile, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has intervened. Minister André Mendonça ordered the removal of posts linking the Bolsonaro family to the alleged attack on the patron saint, labeling the claims 'notoriously untrue.' However, Supreme Court Minister Flávio Dino later overturned some of these removal orders, citing protections for freedom of expression and religious liberty.

Entities

André Mendonça · Brazil · Catholic Church · Flávio Bolsonaro · George Marques · Geraldo Alckmin · Lula · Nossa Senhora Aparecida · Nossa Senhora Aparecida · Paraíba do Sul River · Partido Liberal · Pope Pius XI

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