Brazilian President Signs Anti-Corruption Bill

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Brazil's President signed on Wednesday a new anti-crime bill which introduces harsher punishments for corruption, gang violence and organized crime.

December 28, 2019

The legislation that simplifies sentencing in some cases was approved by Brazil's Senate earlier this month.

Right-wing Jair Bolsonaro had cruised to Brazil's presidency on the back of campaign promises to tackle corruption and violent crime.

Brazil's Justice Minister Sergio Moro called the passing of the new legislation as "progress to the anti-crime legislation in the country."

But the new bill, according to Reuters, will not have a provision to triple the sentence when a crime is committed or displayed on social networks.

The bill does eliminate the restriction on the collection of genetic material only in cases of willful crime committed against life, sexual freedom or sexual crime.

The legislation comes as Bolsonaro's family faces their own questions about corruption. 

Police raided a series of addresses linked to Bolsonaro's son Flavio - a senator.

According to the Guardian, part of the investigation focuses on suspicions Flávio laundered money through a chocolate shop registered with authorities under the name Bolsotini.

When asked about his son, Bolsonaro launched a homophobic rant against a reporter.

"Bolsonaro is committing the crime of homophobia in order to make us forget his son’s schemes. But we won’t forget," tweeted activist Manuel D'Avila.

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