In Brazil, comedy was sentenced to 8 years prison for jokes
In Brazil, comedy was sentenced to 8 years prison for jokes
Screenshot with Kftv Show/YouTube video
In Brazil, comedians were sentenced to 8 years in prison for « discriminatory jokes », which he told in his speech in 2022.
The man ridiculed different groups of people – from black and homosexuals to evangelists and the elderly – reports The Washington Post.
During his viral speech three years ago, Comedian Leo Link stressed that he was joking about « everything and everyone ».
« Which show could be more inclusive? I even hired a sign language translator to be able to offend deaf He said from the stage.
Lins made fun of black, indigenous inhabitants of Brazil and inhabitants of the northeast of the country, people with obesity, elderly, gays, Jews, evangelists, people with disabilities and people with HIV. The performance has collected more than 3 million views on YouTube.
The judge of the San Paulo Barbara Criminal Court Judge Barbara, Lima Iseppi, called Lins comedy « fanatical and discriminatory against minorities and vulnerable groups. »
She found the comedian guilty of inciting racism and religious prejudice, as well as discrimination against people with disabilities.
« Freedom of expression is not absolute and unlimited. When there is a confrontation between the fundamental principle of freedom of expression and the principles of human dignity and judicial equality, the latter should prevail – said the judge in her decision.
Leo Links were sentenced to 8 years and 3 months of prison. The comedian plans to challenge the sentence.
On his YouTube channel he responded to the decision. Lins said Brazil goes too far in pursuit of statements and makes a decision « on the basis of emotions when no one wants to listen to a person nearby, but wants to convince him of his truth. »
There were many Brazilians, including columnists, defenders of freedom of speech, conservative politicians and progressive comedians, to defend the humorist.
« Absolutely justified to condemn his jokes is a taste. But they do not pose a threat to anyone. It’s jokes, not crimes, » – according to the editorial article of the newspaper O Globo.
This is not the first lawsuit about Lins. In 2022, the court ordered him to pay about $ 8,000 of a child’s mother with autism, whom he offended. Soon, the comedian caused even more controversy, joining the child with hydrocephalus.
« I know that for some people a joke can be medicines and awaken good feelings, and for others it can become a trigger and evoke bad emotions. But I consider it very unfair and even arrogant that someone’s optional pain can serve as an excuse in order to interfere with the smile of others, » Lins stressed in one of his videos.
A member of the Liberal Party of Brazil, Marcelo Alvaro Antonio, proposed a bill that should give comedians a broader freedom.
« Humor, even if he provokes discomfort, cannot be regarded as a crime. It is a law that protects art, criticism and the right to laughter, » He said.
However, there were also opponents of comedians who believe that freedom of expression should have limits.
In recent years, the Supreme Court of Brazil has repeatedly blocked and removed online accounts of people who allegedly spread misinformation that could threaten Brazilian democracy.
The country also has an increasing position on racist statements that are considered a crime in Brazil.
Although these laws have existed for many years, they have only recently been actively used. Prosecutors have initiated thousands of criminal cases, and the punishment became more severe.
For example, in 2024, up to 8 years in prison for racist comments about a black -eyed baby, a white famous couple condemned a provocative from the Social networks of Dei McCarthy. She was allowed to stay on freedom until the sentence was challenged.
