Travel ban for Flávio Bolsonaro following money-laundering proceedings
A Brazilian court stripped the defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro of his passports. His party recognised Lula's election victory.
Judge strips Bolsonaro of passports – party recognises election defeat
Brazil's top judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered Flávio Bolsonaro to surrender all travel documents – including his diplomatic passport – within 24 hours. The travel ban is connected to an ongoing money-laundering investigation involving companies and online sports betting, according to tt.com citing Brazilian news portal "G1".
The Federal Police stated they found evidence of a connection between Flávio Bolsonaro and a bank account belonging to a firm of lawyer Willer Tomaz, who is also facing charges. Moraes also prohibited Bolsonaro from having any contact with Tomaz. Bolsonaro denies any connection.
The 45-year-old stated that on Monday, following a visit to his father – former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest – he was asked by the Federal Police to surrender the documents. In a video, he explained: "I never thought about leaving the country. I will hand over my travel passports and fight against this absurdity, which is a clear attempt to intimidate me." He attributed the order to a statement made by his brother Eduardo, who lives in the United States, who had declared before the election that he would support Flávio's departure in the event of a defeat.
Bolsonaro is also the subject of a separate investigation for possible corruption and money-laundering in connection with the financing of the film "Dark Horse" about his father. He also denies these allegations.
In the run-off election on Sunday, Flávio Bolsonaro lost to left-wing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who according to the electoral court received 51.8 per cent of the vote and will thus be able to take a fourth term. Bolsonaro now intends to challenge Lula's election victory in court and accuses the incumbent of abusing state resources and political power during the campaign. Previously, he had called for the entire election to be annulled.
The Liberal Party of the defeated candidate meanwhile recognised Lula's election victory. Party leader Valdemar Costa Neto announced on Monday that outstanding issues nevertheless needed to be clarified – a position that put the party at odds with that of its own candidate.
Bolsonaro received backing from US President Donald Trump, who called the ballot "rigged". Trump had received Flávio Bolsonaro at the White House in late May and had previously supported his father Jair, who served as Brazil's president from 2019 to early 2023 and was later convicted for an attempted coup against Lula.
Source: Kleine Zeitung