RISK OF ESCAPE

Brazilian judge denies Bolsonaro's request to travel to Trump's inauguration

Decision was based on the former president's recent behavior indicating the possibility of an attempt to flee Brazil

Brasil de Fato | Brasília (DF) |
Bolsonaro had his passport seized in February 2024, during a Federal Police operation investigating an attempted coup d'état - Evaristo Sá/AFP

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes denied on Thursday (16) a request from former President Jair Bolsonaro's defense to get his passport back and travel to the United States. According to the request, the objective would be to attend Donald Trump's inauguration, which will take place next Monday (20). 

In the decision, Moraes states that there has been no change in the factual situation that led to the imposition of precautionary measures on the former President by the Brazilian court. On the contrary, says the decision, “it has worsened.” 

Moraes also cites Bolsonaro's interview with the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo in November 2024, after the indictment, in which the former President considers the chance of requesting political asylum to avoid possible criminal liability in Brazil. 

On January 10, 2025, a request for the return of Bolsonaro's passport and authorization to travel abroad was sent to the Supreme Court. The following day, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the presentation of an official document proving that Bolsonaro had been invited to attend the inauguration ceremony in Washington (DC). The defense then replied on Monday (13), without presenting any new documentation. On Wednesday (15), the Attorney General's Office ruled against Bolsonaro's request. 

 

Edited by: Dayze Rocha