Brazil’s Supreme Court has denied a request by former president Jair Bolsonaro’s lawyers to return his passport so he can travel to Israel. The decision was based on concerns that allowing him to leave the country could interfere with criminal investigations. Bolsonaro’s passport was initially seized by the Federal Police during an investigation into whether he and his aides planned to stage an uprising to stay in power after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The request to return Bolsonaro’s passport was made after it was revealed that he had spent two nights at Hungary’s embassy in Brasilia shortly after losing his passport. This raised speculation that he may have been trying to evade arrest, as diplomatic conventions would prevent authorities from entering embassy grounds. However, Bolsonaro’s lawyers denied this, stating that his stay at the embassy was part of his political agenda with the Hungarian government, with whom he has a strong alignment.
In response to the denial of his passport request, Bolsonaro’s lawyers had argued that his proposed trip to Israel from May 12 to 18 would not affect the ongoing legal processes he is involved in, as he had scheduled appointments after his planned return date. The request did not specify which event Bolsonaro intended to attend in Israel, but it coincided with Israel’s Independence Day. Despite this argument, the Supreme Court rejected the request, citing concerns about the potential impact on the criminal investigations he is facing.
The decision by the Supreme Court was based on a recommendation from the prosecutor general’s office, which had earlier stated that the restriction on Bolsonaro’s travel was necessary to prevent any interference with the ongoing criminal investigations. Bolsonaro and his legal team have been facing scrutiny over allegations of plotting to ignore the election results and stage an uprising to remain in power. The denial of his passport request underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need to ensure that the legal processes are not compromised.
The denial of Bolsonaro’s passport request comes at a time of heightened political tension in Brazil, with the former president facing multiple legal challenges and a divided public opinion. The decision indicates that the Supreme Court is taking a firm stance on ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and that individuals facing criminal investigations are held accountable. The denial also highlights the ongoing scrutiny and pressure faced by Bolsonaro and his administration as they navigate a complex and challenging legal landscape.
