Brazilian police have accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo of obstructing justice in connection with an ongoing trial over the alleged coup attempt following the 2022 presidential election. The accusations, detailed in a 170-page police report, come less than two weeks before the final phase of the trial, further increasing the pressure on the former leader.
Alleged Coup and Asylum Plans
Jair Bolsonaro, 70, is accused of leading an attempted coup after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Police say they found a draft letter on his mobile phone requesting political asylum in Argentina, addressed to President Javier Milei. The draft, last modified in February 2024, allegedly shows his intent to evade trial. Bolsonaro has publicly denied ever considering leaving Brazil and insists that the charges against him are politically motivated.
Eduardo Bolsonaro’s Role
The report also implicates Eduardo Bolsonaro, 41, accusing him of lobbying the Trump administration on his father’s behalf. According to police, these efforts contributed to the U.S. imposing punitive tariffs of 50% on Brazilian imports in July. Additionally, the U.S. State Department banned eight Brazilian Supreme Court justices, including Alexandre de Moraes, from entering the country. Eduardo, currently in the U.S., denied the allegations and stated his actions were intended to promote “individual freedoms” rather than influence judicial proceedings.
Political Fallout
Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the coup trial, has given Jair Bolsonaro’s legal team 48 hours to explain the alleged asylum draft. Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest, prohibited from using social media and from contacting Eduardo due to prior violations of court restrictions. The new allegations deepen the political crisis surrounding the former president, who continues to claim he is the target of a “witch hunt” designed to block his potential 2026 candidacy.
With the coup trial nearing its final phase, the obstruction of justice accusations and the discovery of an asylum request draft add to the mounting legal and political troubles facing Jair Bolsonaro. The outcome of the proceedings will not only determine his political future but also test Brazil’s democratic institutions under heightened domestic and international scrutiny.