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Brazil’s Supreme Court Second Panel Unanimously Dismisses Kajuru’s Defamation Complaint Against Deputy Gayer

The ruling turns on competing views of protection for harsh online remarks by a lawmaker.

Overview

  • On March 10, the STF’s Second Panel upheld the archiving of a criminal complaint, clearing Deputy Gustavo Gayer of injúria and defamation alleged by Senator Jorge Kajuru.
  • Relator Kassio Nunes Marques concluded the remarks are shielded by parliamentary immunity that extends to mass media and social networks.
  • Ministers André Mendonça, Luiz Fux and Dias Toffoli joined the relator, resulting in a unanimous decision to reject the complaint.
  • Gilmar Mendes concurred in dismissing the case but said immunity did not apply because the posts were unrelated to the mandate, citing freedom-of-expression grounds and lack of penal relevance.
  • The case stemmed from a 2024 social-media video in which Gayer called Kajuru “psicopata,” “caricatura” and “ser enlouquecido,” after an initial monocratic dismissal in 2024 and a February pause for additional review.