A city councilor in Uberaba, Thiago Mariscal dos Santos, has been sentenced by the Minas Gerais court for slandering Marcelo Palmério, the ex-rector of the University of Uberaba, with offensive claims made on social media. The court ruled that Mariscal's statements, made in early 2024, included derogatory terms and false allegations that linked Palmério to criminal activities from which he had previously been acquitted in 2019. The decision, published on Thursday, allows Mariscal the opportunity to appeal while remaining free.

The case emerged against the backdrop of a legal dispute between the university's administration and Mariscal, who allegedly interrupted public services by broadcasting live videos from the hospital owned by the university. This prompted the university to seek judicial intervention against the councilor. The posts that led to the conviction were presented as evidence in court and highlighted how social media can exacerbate tensions between public officials and institutions.

This ruling not only impacts Mariscal's political career but also sets a precedent regarding the limits of free speech for elected officials. The decision emphasizes that slanderous statements made in public forums, especially against individuals in prominent positions such as university rectors, carry legal repercussions. It illustrates the judiciary's role in protecting individuals from defamation in the digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly and has significant consequences.