Evangelist Benny Hinn has a situation on his hands.
The son of American evangelist Benny Hinn was arrested in Brazil after allegedly beating up a deaf and dumb man during one of his father’s rallies, it was reported today.
Hestephenson Araujo, 21, reportedly needed hospital treatment after the incident on Saturday night during a religious crusade in Manaus, northern Brazil.
Police detained Joshua Hinn, 21, along with two of Benny Hinn’s bodyguards, on suspicion of torture after the three men allegedly locked Mr Araujo in a trailer and physically assaulted him.
It seems Araujo got up during the meeting and approached the stage. While he claims he wanted a blessing from Hinn, others disagree.
But he was allegedly pounced on by Mr Hinn’s son Joshua and two bodyguards, Caleb Shirk, 26, and Konstantins Konstantinovs, 34, who claimed they thought he was about to throw water at the preacher, who is worth an estimated £27 million ($42 million).
The men took Mr Araujo to a trailer parked near the stage where they allegedly held him captive inside, beating and punching him as they demanded to know who he was.
Since Araujo was deaf and unable to speak, the “interrogation” continued.
According to police, Mr Araujo’s father, a sign language translator, entered into an agreement with Benny Hinn’s representatives to not press charges against the men.
Police sources told Brazilian website Portal do Holanda that the agreement involved a “large sum of money”.
The Civil Police said an investigation will still be launched into the incident.
After being released, Joshua Hinn and the two bodyguards reportedly continued to Manaus’ international airport from where they flew directly back to the US.
It’s amazing how a “large sum of money” can cover a multitude of sins.
