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Brazilian police are investigating allegations of sexual assault aired on the country’s Big Brother reality TV show, a spokeswoman for Rio’s police department said.

Police inspector Antonio Ricardo L. Nunes said he questioned show participants a day after the wildly popular programme announced that contestant Daniel Echaniz was being thrown out over suspicions  of “gravely inadequate” behaviour.

Nunes would provide no details on the questioning.

Echaniz, a 31-year-old male model, was booted off the show after allegations emerged that he had engaged in sexual behaviour with contestant Monique Amin after she’d passed out.

The incident allegedly took place following a boozy party Saturday night.

Grainy programme footage shows the two in a bed, the leopard print sheets moving as Amin lays inert.

Speaking on Monday night’s show, Big Brother Brazil presenter Pedro Bial said, “We analyzed images that show a violation of the rules of the programme. Following careful study, the programme’s management found that the behaviour of the participant ... was gravely inadequate.”   

The incident has been the subject of intense water cooler discussion, sparking questions about what exactly entails sexual assault. It’s a sticky topic in Brazil, where matters of sexuality remain fraught, despite the country’s international reputation for sexual liberation.

Two opposing Twitter feeds have been created, one applauding Echaniz’s removal and the other one advocating his return to the show. A host of local celebrities have also chimed in on the Twitter debate, with several voicing suspicions that Amin was not really unconscious. Others have suggested the incident was her fault for drinking too much.

Echaniz’s disqualification has also sparked murmurings about racism, as the dark-skinned male model is of mixed race, while Amin  is white.

A report in the O Globo newspaper cites Echaniz’s mother, Maria Aparecida Echaniz, as contending that “Daniel is the victim of racism.

“There have already been (such incidents on the show) and they didn’t have such consequences,” she is quoted as saying.

While participants have been kicked off Big Brother productions in other countries for sexually questionable behaviour, this is the first disqualification on the Brazilian show. Produced by Rede Globo channel, the Brazilian programme is in its 12th year.

Comments

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Thu May 23 22:43:34 SAST 2013 ::

Jan 18, 2012

CheeseBoy

she was sleeping on the job.... and he took advantage.
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Jan 18, 2012

nevus

fok die progamme en all die wat die fokon ding kyk is net jjaargs gyt.
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Jan 18, 2012

Kahare24*7

Its about time this bloody useless show be ended, i dont see the point of watching it either.
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Jan 18, 2012

Baba_T

@CheeseBoy
she was sleeping on the job.... and he took advantage.

Kwakwakwa...

O Mpara Boss



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Jan 18, 2012

SweetDude2

Ok can any smart individual explain to me the objective BIG BROTHER SA i just wish to know.
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Jan 18, 2012

Galfrend

Too much alchohol.


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Jan 18, 2012

wesbuw22

Sleeping on the JOB? LOL haaaii
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Jan 18, 2012

Shredder

Sherrr!! I thought I was the only one who didn't like that show. Last year when I said it was just a waste of time to watch that show, some people thought I was just being uptight. At least, it's a relief that I see some more people who feel like me.
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Jan 18, 2012

DJWinner

I know biggie parties can be so steamy, but still it doesn't justify rape. Alteast our people are still not raping each other.
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Jan 18, 2012

DJWinner

People sleep on bigbrother, what's the fuss? they can't be awake 24/7.
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