A Supreme Court judge in Brazil has given former president Jair Bolsonaro 48 hours to respond to police claims that he planned to flee to Argentina to avoid punishment. Bolsonaro is accused of orchestrating a failed coup after losing the 2022 election. His trial for the alleged attempt to seize power is set to wrap up early next month, and if found guilty, he could face more than 40 years in prison.
Court documents released on Wednesday night revealed that federal police found a draft asylum request on Bolsonaro’s phone, addressed to Argentina’s right-wing president, Javier Milei. The unsigned and undated document claimed Bolsonaro was facing imminent arrest for political reasons and needed urgent protection abroad. An Argentine government source told Reuters that Milei’s office never received such a letter, but Brazilian police argued the draft showed Bolsonaro intended to flee to avoid justice.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes demanded an explanation from Bolsonaro’s lawyers, stating that the evidence indicated the former president had prepared to leave the country. Bolsonaro, who was president from 2019 to 2022, has been under house arrest since early August for violating a court order that barred him from using social media. The 48-hour deadline has raised concerns among his supporters that he might be taken into custody to prevent him from fleeing before his final judgment, which is scheduled to begin on September 2 and conclude on September 12.
Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Paulo da Cunha Bueno, admitted that someone had suggested the idea of going to Argentina, but he insisted Bolsonaro rejected it, saying, “Fleeing was never an option.”
Bolsonaro is accused of plotting to overturn the 2022 election results, which he lost to left-wing candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He denies the charges, but many political and legal experts—and even some of his allies—expect a conviction.
In a related development, federal police have formally accused Bolsonaro and his congressman son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, of trying to interfere in the trial by encouraging U.S. officials to pressure Brazil’s Supreme Court. If found guilty, they could face up to 12 years in prison. Eduardo Bolsonaro moved to the U.S. in February and has spent months lobbying the Trump administration to pressure Brazilian authorities over his father’s case.
In July, former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, calling Bolsonaro’s prosecution a “witch-hunt,” and announced sanctions against Justice Moraes. Eight of Brazil’s 11 Supreme Court judges, including Moraes, have had their U.S. visas revoked, as have the wife and daughter of one of Lula’s closest allies, Health Minister Alexandre Padilha. Trump recently told reporters, “It’s really a political execution that they’re trying to do with Bolsonaro.”
In another development, influential evangelical pastor Silas Malafaia, a strong Bolsonaro supporter, was questioned by police after returning from Portugal to Rio. Malafaia is also under investigation for allegedly trying to influence the trial and has been barred from leaving Brazil, communicating with Bolsonaro or his son, and ordered to surrender his passports.”You’ll have to arrest me to shut me up,” Malafaia yelled at reporters following his release.
The federal police report also revealed the crude infighting taking place among members of the Bolsonaro family and their key supporters ahead of the former president’s trial.
In one WhatsApp conversation found on Jair Bolsonaro’s phone—which was seized during the investigation—Eduardo Bolsonaro responded to an interview where his father criticized him by writing in all caps: “Go fuck yourself, you ungrateful bastard!”
In another message, Malafaia lashed out at Eduardo Bolsonaro for publicly praising Trump’s tariffs on Brazilian imports, telling Jair Bolsonaro: “I’m sorry, Mr. President, but your son Eduardo is an inexperienced jerk who’s handing the nationalist argument over to Lula and the left… a total idiot. I’m furious!”
In a statement, Eduardo Bolsonaro condemned the police for “leaking private, completely normal conversations,” calling the move “shameful” and politically motivated. He denied any attempt to interfere in his father’s trial.
Polls indicate that Lula has gained support following Trump’s attempts to pressure Brazil’s institutions, with over 70% of Brazilians opposing the U.S. president’s actions and only 21% in favor. A poll released on Thursday showed Lula leading all potential right-wing rivals in next year’s election, including Bolsonaro’s wife Michelle, Eduardo Bolsonaro, and several conservative governors vying to take over Bolsonaro’s political movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the claim that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had 48 hours to respond to allegations of planning to escape to Argentina
General Beginner Questions
1 What is this story about
This is about a formal request from Brazilian police for former President Jair Bolsonaro to explain alleged plans to flee to Argentina to avoid potential legal prosecution in Brazil
2 Who gave him the 48hour deadline
The deadline was issued by the Federal Police of Brazil as part of their ongoing investigation
3 Why would he plan to escape to Argentina
The allegation is that he was seeking to avoid arrest or prosecution for various investigations he is facing in Brazil using Argentina as a safe haven
4 Has Bolsonaro responded yet
As of his lawyers have publicly denied the allegations The formal response to the police is likely to be a legal document the contents of which may not be immediately fully public
5 What happens if he doesnt respond in 48 hours
The 48 hours is a deadline for his legal team to provide a formal statement Not responding wouldnt automatically lead to arrest but it could be used by investigators and prosecutors as evidence against him later
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What is the specific legal basis for this police request
It is part of a precautionary measure within a larger investigation into an alleged criminal organization within his government The police are legally obligated to hear his defense
7 What are the main investigations Bolsonaro is facing in Brazil
He is under investigation for several alleged crimes including the attempted coup after the 2022 election misappropriation of expensive jewelry received as state gifts and the spread of false information related to COVID19
8 Is this an arrest warrant
No this is not an arrest warrant It is a formal request for him to present his defense regarding a specific allegation within the investigation
9 Could Argentina extradite him if he did flee
Brazil and Argentina have an extradition treaty However extradition can be a long complex political and legal process and it is not guaranteed especially for charges that could be seen as politically motivated
