Jair Bolsonaro,
Brazilian President in the middle of a domestic row over his handling of the
COVID-19 pandemic, saw a bigger controversy revolve around him at the Group of
20 (G20) Summit in Rome after members of his security entourage allegedly used
violence against members of the Brazilian media covering his trip to Rome for
the meeting of the group of 20 major economies.

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Bolsonaro has had
a difficult relationship with the Brazilian media, who he has often dismissed
as “fake news” and criticised vociferously. The far-right Brazilian president
has faced mounting criticism in his country over his handling of the COVID-19
pandemic. The criticism seemed to have travelled to Rome as well as he was
criticised on the streets of Rome with critics calling him “genocidal”, reports
Reuters.

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According to Brazilian
media reports, broadcast journalist Leonardo Monteiro of TV Globo was punched
in the stomach and pushed by Bolsonaro’s security contingent after the
journalist asked him why he did not attend any of the G20 events Sunday. Another
media network reported chaotic scenes with security staff jostling the press
and Bolsonaro’s supporters chanting abuses at the media.  

Also Read | Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro says questions on COVID deaths bore him

The Brazilian president
has cut a sorry figure at the G20 Summit with videos showing him an isolated figure
who was not part of the picture taken at the Trevi fountain. Sunday’s incident is
not likely to have a favourable response for Bolsonaro who is already facing
serious allegations back home.

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Only a few days ahead
of the G20 Summit, Brazilian senators voted to recommend that Bolsonaro be
charged for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic after nearly 600,000
Brazilians died of the infection. The Brazilian Senate backed a report calling for
charges against the president including those of “crimes against humanity”.

The report, the
first internationally to categorically ascribe blame on political leadership
during the pandemic, holds Bolsonaro responsible for the deaths in the country
and accused him of misusing public funds and spreading fake news about the pandemic.