Businessman Faces Up To 5 Years In Prison Over Racist And Homophobic Outburst On Flight

A businessman is facing up to five years in prison after making racist and homophobic remarks during an international flight.

The suspect, identified as Naranjo Maldini, is said to be a commercial manager at a Chilean seafood and marine biotechnology company called Landes. He was arrested on May 15 at Guarulhos International Airport.

According to reports, Maldini allegedly launched into a series of racist and homophobic insults while aboard a LATAM Airlines flight travelling from Brazil to Germany on May 10.

The incident reportedly happened after he attended the Interzoo 2026 fair in Nuremberg.

Videos circulating online showed the businessman shouting at cabin crew members and verbally attacking a Brazilian passenger.

In one of the clips, he was allegedly heard saying:

“He is gay against me, I am not gay, he is gay.
I don’t have a problem but he has a problem with me.”

He also allegedly made racist remarks about Black people and Brazilians during the confrontation.

Eyewitnesses further claimed that he called a passenger a “monkey” while making animal noises inside the aircraft.

According to cabin crew members, they stepped in after Maldini allegedly attempted to open one of the aircraft doors mid-flight, although authorities have not officially confirmed that claim.

Brazilian police launched an investigation following formal complaints made after the incident.

Maldini was later detained at the Provisional Detention Centre in Guarulhos.

Under Brazilian law, which was strengthened in recent years to combat racial discrimination, he could face up to five years in prison. Additional penalties may also apply for the alleged homophobic insults, which are treated similarly to racial hate crimes in Brazil.

See below……….

Businessman Faces Up To 5 Years In Prison Over Racist And Homophobic Outburst On Flight pic.twitter.com/G9J3g8AnJh

— Iamelizabeth (@elizabethblogng) May 19, 2026

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