Brazil Court Reveals Bolsonaro Tried to Flee to Argentina
(MENAFN) Brazil's federal police have uncovered evidence suggesting former President Jair Bolsonaro considered fleeing to Argentina to seek political asylum from President Javier Milei, according to court filings submitted Wednesday.
A 170-page report handed to Brazil’s Supreme Court includes data extracted from Bolsonaro’s cellphone, revealing a draft asylum request dated February 2024—just two days after authorities confiscated his passport amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot.
“In my country of origin, I am being persecuted for essentially political reasons and crimes,” the document reads. Bolsonaro describes himself as “a politically persecuted person” in the undated, unsigned plea. The letter refers to Milei as “the most excellent president of Argentina Javier Gerardo Milei” and claims Bolsonaro was “facing imminent arrest,” which it labels “unjust, illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional.”
The former president, who governed from 2019 to 2022, faces potential imprisonment of more than 40 years if convicted of conspiring to overturn the 2022 election, which he lost to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A verdict from the Supreme Court is expected between September 2 and 12.
Though Bolsonaro denies the charges, legal experts and political observers say the evidence against him appears substantial, making conviction increasingly likely.
Police allege the draft letter proves Bolsonaro “planned to flee the country, in order to prevent the law being enforced.” Investigators also accuse him and his son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, of attempting to sway the upcoming trial by appealing to U.S. officials to pressure Brazil’s judiciary.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in last week, stating: “It’s really a political execution that they’re trying to do with Bolsonaro. I think that’s terrible.” In July, Trump escalated tensions by slapping 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports and sanctioning Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over Bolsonaro’s case, denouncing the investigation as a “witch hunt.”
Despite a court-imposed ban on running for office due to disinformation violations, Bolsonaro has indicated he still plans to challenge Lula in Brazil’s 2026 presidential election. He is currently under house arrest in Brasilia for breaching a judicial order regarding social media use.
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