Rio Grande do Norte Teen Investigated for Nazi Costume

Authorities in Rio Grande do Norte are investigating a teenager for wearing a Nazi-style uniform and performing a salute at a graduation party. The incident took place in the city of Mossoró on Saturday, January 10. The images of the adolescent wearing the fardamento and extending the right arm quickly spread across social media.

The Public Ministry and Civil Police have confirmed the investigation. The teenager has since issued a public apology, claiming the outfit was a purchased costume. The event organizers and the college associated with the graduates have released statements distancing themselves from the incident and condemning the behavior.

The Public Ministry and the Civil Police of Rio Grande do Norte confirmed they are investigating the case of an adolescent who used a uniform referencing the armed forces of Germany during the Nazi period. The incident occurred during a graduation party in Mossoró, located in the western part of the state. The event took place on Saturday, January 10, and images of the youth wearing the attire appeared on social media hours later.

In addition to the clothing, the teenager appeared in videos performing the traditional Nazi salute used to revere Adolf Hitler, with the right arm extended. Delegate Rafael Arraes stated that an inquiry was instigated to investigate the case. Since the family lives in another state, Ceará, the police will issue cartas precatórias (letters rogatory) to conduct interviews with the adolescent and those responsible through the Specialized Delegation for Adolescent Offender Assistance (DEA) in Mossoró.

Apology for Nazism is a crime in Brazil, established by law since 1989, with a penalty of imprisonment ranging from two to five years and a fine. Because this involves an adolescent, it is considered an infracting act analogous to the crime. The 10th Prosecutor's Office of Justice in Mossoró reported that it instigated an extrajudicial procedure to collect information regarding the incident. The institution noted that several reports about the case received through the reporting channel were grouped into a single process to optimize the investigation.

In a video published on social networks, the teenager identified himself and apologized for the act. He classified the attire as an "inadequate costume" and acknowledged that he was wrong. The youth justified that he enjoys using costumes of characters and historical figures and asserted that he bought the clothing at a fair in Fortaleza. He also stated that he did not imagine the dimension of the problem that it would cause.

According to the organization of the graduation party, the adolescent attended the event as a guest of two sisters who were graduating. The organizers of the Master Produções e Eventos company stated that the teenager entered the party accompanied by his parents without any inadequate clothing and changed clothes after the ceremony. "In a timely moment, without the knowledge of the organization, there was a change of clothes for personal photographic records," the company informed. The organization also manifested repudiation of the fact.

The Facene college, to which the graduates belonged, informed that it did not participate in the organization of the event, which was done by a ceremony planner, but that it repudiates the teenager's manifestation. The institution stated: "Such a manifestation is repugnant, offends democratic values, human dignity, and the memory of the victims of Nazism, being totally incompatible with the ethical, humanistic, and academic principles that guide our institution."

The college also informed that it will take measures to reinforce communications to graduates and the community about the absence of institutional links with private events. It will revise guidelines on the use of spaces and external partnerships and will endeavor to cooperate with the ball organizers to ascertain the facts and avoid the repetition of similar episodes. Regarding assuming responsibility for the case, the Guardianship Council of the 34th Zone of Mossoró informed that regarding news of a supposed infracting act, it is up to the police authority to carry out the investigation of the facts. Despite this, it reiterated that it repudiates any types of racist, discriminatory practices, alluding to religious intolerance, and any practices contrary to legislation.