Flavio Bolsonaro Under Investigation for Possible Escape to Argentina After Exit Ban
Brazil's Federal Police are investigating whether Senator Flavio Bolsonaro crossed into Argentina by land to fly to the United States, despite having an exit ban in place.
Gulfstream Stranded in Puerto Iguazú as Brazil Tracks Senator Bolsonaro
Brazil's Federal Police opened an investigation to determine whether Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday's runoff ballot to President Lula da Silva, left Brazil by land heading to Argentina in order to fly to the United States, defying the judicial exit ban currently in force against him. According to reporting from lanacion.com.ar, Brazilian authorities established that the senator did not pass through any immigration control point in Brazil.
The newspaper O Globo reported that the Federal Police verified the absence of immigration records for the senator after it became known, through the Infobae website, that Bolsonaro had allegedly crossed the border earlier that morning. Sources from the senator of the Liberal Party (PL) consulted by the Rio de Janeiro morning newspaper did not respond.
Gulfstream Stranded in Misiones with Four Passengers Expected
A Gulfstream G400 aircraft, registration LV-JQW, operated by Baires Fly S.A., landed at 23:45 on Monday at Puerto Iguazú airport coming from Buenos Aires's metropolitan Aeroparque. The aircraft was scheduled to depart at 2 in the morning with four passengers and a destination still to be determined, but the departure did not take place because one of the passengers did not show up, according to sources from the Airport Security Police (PSA) with knowledge of movements at the Misiones airport.
The aircraft remained in Puerto Iguazú at the close of this edition, according to information provided by the Misiones Police. Its pilots are of Argentine nationality. Baires Fly is an Argentine private and commercial aviation company that operates from hangar 5 at the Aeroparque; it was established in 1996.
From the Ministry of National Security, headed by Alejandra Monteoliva, they stated to LA NACION that they have no records of Bolsonaro having entered Argentine territory. The PSA, the Gendarmerie and the Federal Police fall under that ministry.
Passports Retained and Deadline Expired
On Monday, hours after the runoff defeat, Flavio Bolsonaro was ordered by Brazil's Federal Police to surrender his passports and was barred from leaving the country as part of a judicial case. The senator had 24 hours to comply with the order, but as of Tuesday morning he had still not done so, according to O Globo.
Journalist Bela Megale reported that the candidate had agreed with his legal defence to respond to the summons and hand over the documents that morning, although he ultimately did not. The same journalist, citing sources close to Jair Bolsonaro—who is under house arrest for attempted coup d'état—noted that the former president's greatest fear after the runoff is that his son could be arrested.
Flavio received the judicial notification in the street, as he was leaving a visit to his father in Brasília. The measure was ordered in a sealed ruling by Supreme Federal Court (STF) judge Alexandre de Moraes.
In a video posted on his social media accounts, the senator acknowledged the situation: "I was ordered to hand over my passports and I am prohibited from leaving the country." He denounced an attempt at intimidation and added: "I never thought about leaving the country. I am going to hand over my passports and I am going to defend myself from this outrage."
Bolsonaro attributed the judicial decision to statements made by his brother, former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is based in the United States. The previous Friday, Eduardo—who is subject to an arrest warrant in Brazil—had stated in an interview: "If my brother doesn't win, I am in favour of him leaving the country, of course." In the same interview he maintained that, in the event of defeat, Flavio should challenge the election result.
Two Cases Open at the Supreme Court
Flavio Bolsonaro faces two investigations at the STF. The first, under the direction of Judge Moraes, examines an alleged money laundering scheme and foreign exchange evasion through betting platforms and payment services linked to lawyer Willer Tomaz, a friend of the senator. The investigation originated in the Federal Police of Rio Grande do Sul and reached the Supreme Court when investigators found references to Flavio, who has parliamentary privileges. According to CNN Brasil, which accessed the sealed ruling, the order to retain passports was issued as part of this case.
The second investigation, led by Judge André Mendonça, analyses the financing of Dark Horse, a film about Jair Bolsonaro's political career. The Federal Police are examining Flavio's involvement in obtaining funds from former banker Daniel Vorcaro, former owner of Banco Master.
Report by Martín Boerr, correspondent in Misiones.
Source: Google News AR — Crime