The German government issued a statement stating that Bolsonarista protesters rejected scenes of Nazi gestures, particularly in southern Brazil.

“The use of Nazi and fascist symbols by far-right “protesters” is deeply shocking,” German Ambassador to Brazil Heiko Thoms said on social media. “Apologizing for Nazism is a crime,” he insisted.

In a second message, he pointed out that “this is not about freedom of expression, it is an attack on democracy and the rule of law in Brazil”.

“This gesture is disrespectful to the memory of the victims of Nazism and the horror it has created,” he said.