ABI: Bolsonaro committed yet another crime by exposing journalists to the risk of contracting coronavirus.
According to ABI (Brazilian Press Association), "Bolsonaro commits yet another crime" by breaking isolation and meeting with journalists after allegedly contracting the coronavirus. The Journalists' Union of the Federal District issued a statement requesting that media outlets suspend in-person coverage at the Presidential Palace.
247 - In a statement, the Brazilian Press Association (ABI) affirms that "Bolsonaro commits yet another crime" by breaking the isolation recommended by doctors and gather the journalists for a press conference., when he announced his alleged infection with the new coronavirus.
"Even after being informed that he was infected with Covid-19, President Jair Bolsonaro continues to act criminally and endanger the lives of others. This Tuesday, breaking the isolation recommended by doctors, he received journalists from media outlets he considers aligned with his policies to personally inform them that he is infected with the coronavirus. On that occasion, the president was close to the journalists and even removed his mask," highlights an excerpt from the ABI statement.
According to the organization, Bolsonaro violated the Penal Code, specifically article 131, which states: “To commit, with the purpose of transmitting to another person a serious illness with which one is infected, an act capable of producing contagion. Penalty: imprisonment for one to four years, and a fine.”
The Journalists' Union of the Federal District issued a statement. requesting that media outlets suspend in-person coverage at the Presidential Palace.
Read the full text:
Even after being informed that he was infected with Covid-19, President Jair Bolsonaro continues to act criminally and endanger the lives of others. This Tuesday, breaking the isolation recommended by doctors, he received journalists from media outlets he considers aligned with his policies to personally inform them that he is infected with the coronavirus. On that occasion, the president was close to the journalists and even removed his mask.
With this attitude, he violated the Penal Code, which, in its article 131, states: “To practice, with the purpose of transmitting to another person a serious illness with which one is infected, an act capable of producing contagion. Penalty: imprisonment, from one to four years, and a fine.”
Bolsonaro also violated article 132 of the same code, which provides for a prison sentence of three months to one year for anyone who exposes "the life or health of another to direct and imminent danger."
It is unacceptable for the country to stand by without reacting to successive behaviors that go beyond irresponsibility and constitute clear crimes against public health.
Given this situation, ABI is filing a criminal complaint with the Supreme Federal Court against the president.
Paulo Jeronimo – President of ABI