The Brazilian judge changed his position and banned Agostina Páez from returning to Argentina until he issues the final ruling

In a new episode that generates controversy at the regional judicial level, the situation of Argentinian lawyer Agostina Páez, 29, took an unexpected turn in Brazil after the judge in the case decided to prevent her return to Argentina until the final ruling was issued. The measure implies that the young woman must remain in Rio de Janeiro for at least 15 to 20 more days, despite the fact that there was a previous agreement between the prosecution and the complaint that enabled her return. The case, which is being heard in Criminal Court No. 37, had generated favorable expectations after the hearing held on Tuesday. In that instance, the Argentine lawyer, who had been tried for racial insult, had admitted her guilt and reached an agreement that included a suspended sentence, community work in Argentina and the payment of compensation to the victims. In fact, everything indicated that he could board a flight back to his country

.

However, this Wednesday, the magistrate decided unexpectedly that Páez must remain in Brazilian territory until the sentence is duly drafted and signed, a process that, according to judicial sources, could take an additional 15 to 20 days. The decision breaks with the expectation generated after the previous hearing and forces the lawyer to face at least two more weeks of forced stay in Brazil, which caused discomfort both in her defense and in her

family environment.

According to what transpired, the news came as a real blow to the young woman and her family, who already considered that the process was heading towards the end of what they described as an “ordeal” in Rio de Janeiro. According to relatives, they cannot believe that the magistrate has made a determination that goes against the suggestions that the prosecution itself had made for Páez to return to Argentina after paying a fine and carrying out established community tasks in Santiago del Estero

.

Hours before this judicial setback became known, Agostina Páez herself had spoken publicly through her social networks, where she published a disclaimer acknowledging her error.
“I asked for forgiveness and today I'm doing it again.

I made a serious mistake, I was wrong,” said the lawyer, who also claimed to have “learned what racism is” during these two months of detention in Brazil and under the use of an electronic ankle brace.

The agreement reached, which is now under administrative suspension, established a significant reduction in the initial sentence faced by the young woman. Originally, the case contemplated up to 15 years in prison for a maximum of three complaints, but the prosecution decided to reduce the charge to a continuing crime with three victims, resulting in a minimum sentence of 2 years in suspense. Even so, the prosecution maintains its request for compensation close to 50,000 dollars for each of the three victims, a figure that Páez's family described as difficult to deal

with.

During her stay in Brazil, the lawyer reported having lived in a state of “constant paranoia” due to the death threats received after the viralization of the video showing her making discriminatory gestures in a bar in Ipanema. Her father, who traveled to accompany her, confirmed that they had to take extreme security measures and that he even avoided going out on the street for

fear of being recognized.

The judicial episode had a new chapter when the judge officially notified that he will not authorize the lawyer to leave the country until the final ruling is signed. The measure contrasts with what happened at the previous hearing, where, according to the defense, the magistrate himself had given signs that a return to Argentina would be possible soon

.

Defense attorney Carla Junqueira confirmed that she will file a habeas corpus to reverse the decision and accelerate the process, in addition to moving quickly with closing arguments to reduce waiting time.

It should be remembered that Páez faced this Tuesday the key hearing in the case that has kept her in Rio de Janeiro since last January, accused of racial insult. At that time, the signs were positive: she was not arrested and had been given the go-ahead to return to Argentina, waiting only for the judge's formal signature

.

Both the prosecution and the lawsuit had accepted that the lawyer return to her home. The agreement established that he had to pay a fine, compensate victims and perform community services, which he could perform in Argentine territory. The defense itself had requested the revocation of the precautionary measures so that the young woman could return as soon as possible, even before the final ruling

.

On this point, Junqueira explained: “The defense requested the revocation of the precautionary measures so that she can return to Argentina as quickly as possible, before the final ruling, which must come out in 15 or 20 days. The Prosecutor's Office agreed and the complaint also agreed that he should leave and not wait. The judge even said yesterday: 'Yes, yes, don't worry, this week I'll define it'”

.

The lawyer also recounted what happened when they heard about the magistrate's change of opinion:
“We are here preparing the bond, the money, everything... And the judge today rules no. She changed her mind: she cannot return to Argentina before the final ruling, that is, 15, 20 more days here. Going against the opinion of the Prosecutor's Office, the lawsuit... He refused the revocation of the precautionary measures until we present the

final arguments.”

Finally, he harshly expressed his discomfort at the court decision:
“Never in my life have I seen a decision against what the prosecution itself asks for. The Prosecutor's Office changes the request, so does the complaint and the judge says yes, then no.”