Brazil’s chief prosecutor has charged Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, with coercion. The attorney general’s office claims that Eduardo, a current congressman, acted in ways that prioritize personal and family interests over the nation, allegedly leading Brazil to risks of foreign sanctions. Eduardo has dismissed the charges as “bogus” via social media, labeling the accusations of obstruction of justice as “absurd.”
These developments come shortly after Jair Bolsonaro received a 27-year prison sentence for his involvement in a coup attempt during his presidency from January 2019 to December 2022. Eduardo, who currently resides in the United States, stated that he learned of the charges through the media and characterized the timing as indicative of “ongoing political persecution.” Prosecutors are also pursuing compensation for damages linked to the alleged actions.
The charges also include businessman Paulo Figueiredo, the grandson of a former Brazilian dictator, in their scope. Eduardo Bolsonaro relocated to the U.S. earlier this year and expressed fears of arrest if he were to return to Brazil. He has vocally sought support for his father’s situation from the Trump administration, which has drawn parallels between Jair’s case and a “witch hunt.”
In a related context, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil in July, a decision that Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has criticized as “misguided.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced further actions against Brazil, including sanctions targeting the wife of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw Jair Bolsonaro’s trial. Bolosonaro’s conviction has sparked protests in Brazil against a proposed bill that could grant amnesty to him, with demonstrators opposing what they term the “Banditry Bill.” President Lula has stated his opposition to any form of amnesty and affirmed his commitment to veto such legislation if passed.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3vdvy92zzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss