Brazilians are rallying in defense of a jailed transgender woman after photos emerged showing her bruised and disfigured.



According to local news outlets, Veronica Bolina was arrested on April 10 on suspicion of attempted murder of her elderly neighbour. Police say a fight broke out days later when Bolina masturbated in a cell shared with male inmates, and that she bit an officer's ear when he attempted to intervene.



Activists and those close to Bolina have since questioned the official account. A friend told Brazil's R7 news that Bolina was angered by the prospect of being placed in a cell with men.



In a recorded statement attributed to Bolina, she said police needed to "contain" her and denied being tortured. Public defender Juliana Belloque expressed doubts about the testimony, however, telling Globo that Bolina may have been intimidated by the police in the room.



On Twitter, Brazlians sent messages of support with #SomosTodasVeronica ("We Are All Veronica"):