Police in Brazil have accused former President Jair Bolsonaro, 70, and his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, 41, of obstruction of justice. The allegations center around claims that the two attempted to interfere with the ongoing trial against Jair Bolsonaro, who faces charges related to an alleged attempted coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
Authorities assert that they found a document on Jair Bolsonaro’s mobile phone indicating he intended to seek asylum in Argentina to evade legal proceedings. The police report also contends that Eduardo Bolsonaro lobbied the Trump administration on his father’s behalf, which purportedly resulted in the U.S. imposing tariffs on Brazilian goods.
This development comes in advance of the final phase of Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial. He has denied any conspiracy to overturn the election results and criticizes the legal actions against him as politically motivated. In a previous statement, he expressed concerns regarding the impartiality of the Supreme Court justices involved, suggesting that they may have predetermined a guilty verdict. He also denied plans to leave Brazil, claiming that the charges are aimed at preventing him from participating in the upcoming 2026 presidential election.
According to the police report, a draft letter asking for political asylum in Argentina was found on Jair Bolsonaro’s phone, addressed to Argentine President Javier Milei. The letter is undated but was last modified in February 2024. There is uncertainty about whether the draft was ever sent, with Argentine authorities indicating that no such letter has been received.
Furthermore, Eduardo Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to influence judicial proceedings through his lobbying efforts in the U.S., which coincided with significant tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Brazilian imports. Eduardo has publicly denied these allegations, asserting that his actions were not intended to affect Brazil’s judicial system but rather aimed at restoring individual freedoms in the country.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05ede3j24zo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss