Lawyer Catharina Estrella Ballut claims to have been compared to a bitch by Walber Nascimento, prosecutor, during a session of the Jury Court in Manaus. The offenses were pronounced on Tuesday (12).
The episode was witnessed in the session and the lawyer promptly protested, going to the judge seeking intervention. However, the recording of the moment was interrupted, preventing the magistrate’s speech from being captured.
According to Catharina, the judge asked the lawyer and prosecutor to have ‘manliness’ and treat each other well. ‘Then he continues and makes the reference again that it would be an insult to the bitch compared to me’, adds the lawyer.
“The judge did nothing and I did not speak out at the time. He was extremely negligent. The CNJ [Conselho Nacional de Justiça] has a gender protocol. He couldn’t have let that happen. He should have warned the prosecutor”, argued Catharina in relation to the attitude of the judge presiding over the trial.
In response to Catharina’s allegations, prosecutor Nascimento argued that the comparison was directed at the bitch and not the lawyer. “Comparing your excellence to a bitch is, indeed, offensive, but not to your excellence but to the bitch,” he said.
The lawyer, in an interview with CNN reported having suffered moral and institutional harassment, and highlighted the judge’s omission in the situation.
The president of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) in Amazonas, Jean Cleuter Simões Mendonça, vehemently repudiated the prosecutor’s attitude against the lawyer.
In a press conference held on Wednesday (13), an emotional Catharina said: “I will take all measures for myself, for my daughters and for other women”.
Catharina Estrella Ballut announced that she will seek compensation from prosecutor Walber Luís, highlighting the need for psychological support after the incident.
Walber Nascimento, on his social media, said he had never been sued for disrespecting a colleague throughout his 32 years as a prosecutor. The Amazonense Association of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (AAMP) also issued a note in support of the prosecutor, highlighting his work in defending the rights of victims of gender crimes.
Until the publication of this article, the Public Ministry of Amazonas, the Court of Justice of Amazonas and the National Council of Justice did not comment on the case.
See also: Silvia Chakian talks about sexual and moral harassment
Source: CNN Brasil
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