State deputy Marcinho Belota (PL), accused by a Boa Vista lawyer of committing racism, also responded to a criminal case for calling a Health Surveillance inspector a 'dirty black man', in Boa Vista. In this case of the inspector, he reached an agreement with the Court and paid compensation to the victim (understand below).
Marcinho Belota (PL) is investigated by the Federal Police on suspicion of invading the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) and destroying materials belonging to Law students. After the episode, lawyer Yano Rodrigues, 25 years old, filed a police report against the deputy for racism. Yano claims that a video published by Belota ridicules black power hair and asks that the case be investigated as a racial slur.
Regarding the inspector's case, g1 contacted Belota, but did not receive a response until the last update.
Yano filed a police report against Belota after the deputy published a video on Instagram that, according to the lawyer, ridicules his black power hair — Photo: Archive
Regarding the complaint made by the lawyer, he said that he repudiates any form of racism, prejudice or discrimination. 'Respect for human dignity has always been and will continue to be a fundamental principle of my personal and public conduct.' (Read the full note at the end).
'Naughty black'
The case in which Belota called the inspector a 'dirty black man' occurred in 2015 and was investigated as a racial slur in the 1st Police District, in Boa Vista. He was not yet a deputy.
At the time, he owned a sushi restaurant in the center of the capital. On February 6, 2014, the establishment was fined R$1,500 by three employees of the municipal Health Surveillance for failing to comply with hygiene standards.
Among the irregularities highlighted were the lack of a permit, inadequate trash bins, unidentified food and incorrect storage. The Health Surveillance also required a pest control certificate. The deadline to regularize the situation was five days. Belota signed the term and confirmed that he was aware of the requirements.
According to the investigation, to which g1 had access, Belota did not comply with all the requirements of the first inspection. From then on, he began to question Surveillance.
Then, on September 18, 2015, he went to the Department of Health Surveillance and demanded that the fine be removed 'by any means'.
According to the 54-year-old fiscal coordinator, who participated in the inspection, Belota stated that, if the situation was not resolved within the agency, it would be resolved 'outside'.
That same day, a 55-year-old health inspector, who also participated in the inspection, reported that he was called a 'dirty black man' during the discussion. The coordinator confirmed the insult.
Four days later, on September 22, Belota returned to the department to question the fine. According to the coordinator, the deputy went to his work room and said that Boa Vista was a small town and that, when he found the server, he would get him and resolve the situation his way.
'And you can take this as a threat', added the coordinator, according to the police report.
The health inspector also stated that he was again called a 'dirty black man' during the episode. The police report was registered on September 23, 2015 at the Civil Police.
In a statement to the Civil Police, Belota presented another version. He stated that he went to Surveillance to negotiate the restaurant's situation, but was not well received by the tax coordinator.
He also said that the only words he spoke to the server were: 'But what did you do to me? You said you were going to help me and you fined me.' He also stated that he said that 'every now and then the government changes and that at some point you will need me'.
Belota denied having threatened the fiscal coordinator and also denied having called the health inspector a 'dirty black man'. He stated that the accusation 'is ridiculous', as his mother and brother are 'dark-skinned', and declared that he was not prejudiced against skin color.
Current status of the process
The case was referred to the 3rd Criminal Court of Boa Vista in August 2016 by the Public Ministry of Roraima. In July 2019, the court closed the case against Belota for the crime of threat, after the victim renounced his right to representation.
In February 2020, he was reported for racial slurs. The court received the complaint and he became a defendant in May 2021.
In April 2023, Belota signed an agreement to conditionally suspend the process for two years. He paid compensation to the victim, equivalent to five minimum wages, and another three minimum wages intended for a social purpose. He would also have to appear in court every two months.
According to a certificate from the Court for the Execution of Sentences and Alternative Measures, issued in July 2026, the deputy had four unjustified absences among the registered appearances.
Therefore, on August 26, 2026, the Court extended the inspection period for the agreement for another eight months. The criminal action is provisionally archived while the Court monitors compliance with the conditions.
🔍 The conditional suspension of the process granted to Belota was possible because the events occurred in 2015, before the legislation equated racial insult to the crime of racism, in 2023. Before the change, racial insult had a penalty of one to three years in prison and allowed the conditional suspension of the process, as long as the accused complied with the legal requirements. Currently, this benefit is not permitted for racial slur crimes.
Belota's note about the lawyer's case
'I firmly repudiate any form of racism, prejudice or discrimination. Respect for human dignity has always been and will continue to be a fundamental principle of my personal and public conduct.
Regarding the aforementioned video, I clarify that it was a relaxed demonstration, using a visual resource made available by the social network itself (SNAP CHAT) without any intention of offending, diminishing or disrespecting anyone due to their color, origin or physical characteristics. Including several posts on my own Instagram in which I joke with several of my friends and my wife (just analyze my profile and you will see).
It is essential to understand that not every good-natured expression or disagreement between people represents discriminatory conduct. Attributing someone to committing such a serious crime requires responsibility, analysis of the context and concrete elements that support this conclusion.
I respect the right of lawyer Yano Rodrigues to present his interpretation of the facts and to resort to the legal means he deems appropriate. Likewise, I hope that my right to clarify what happened is respected, without hasty judgments.
Racism is a serious issue that deserves permanent and responsible confrontation. Precisely because I recognize its seriousness, I consider it essential that any accusation of this nature be examined with balance, respect for the truth and observance of legal guarantees.'
