Jean Wyllys: Brazil's first openly gay congressman flees country after death threats

Death threats: Jean Wyllys, Brazil's first openly gay congressman, said he will not return to the country
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Brazil’s first openly gay congressman has said he will not return to the country after receiving death threats.

Jean Wyllys said violence in Brazil had worsened since the election of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

He said death threats had made his life unbearable and that he was scared to leave his home in Rio.

"It was not Bolsonaro's election itself. It was the level of violence that has increased since he was elected," Mr Wyllys told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

Mr Wyllys' left-wing Party for Socialism and Liberty (PSOL) said he would be replaced in Congress by David Miranda, who is also gay.

A legislative aide in Brasilia confirmed that Mr Wyllys will not return to Brazil from his current travels in Europe.

The presidential press office declined to comment.

Agencies contributed to this report

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