Alexandre de Moraes, judge of the Brazilian Supreme Court, on Thursday rejected the request for the return of former President Jair Bolsonaro's passport. The decision prevents the far-right leader from leaving the country to attend Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday in Washington, an event he enthusiastically described in an interview with the New York Times as a celebration of “the most important in the world.
Jair Bolsonaro has been banned from leaving the country since February 2024. His passport was confiscated during a police operation linked to an investigation into an alleged coup plan aimed at preventing Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his rival left, to regain power in January 2023.
An “inadmissible” decision
Jair Bolsonaro's defense, citing an official invitation to the ceremony from Donald Trump, described the Supreme Court's decision as “inadmissible.” However, Judge Moraes argued that there was a risk of fleeing abroad to escape justice, thus justifying his refusal.
Jair Bolsonaro's team strongly criticized this decision on the X platform, calling it a sign of a weakening of Brazil's international position. They also denounced an “example of lawfare”, or the systematic use of justice to neutralize Jair Bolsonaro as a political adversary. “This prevents us from confronting him at the ballot box,” they added.
Ineligibility until 2030
Ineligible until 2030 for having disseminated false information about the Brazilian electoral system, Jair Bolsonaro is also under investigation by the prosecution concerning an alleged plan for a post-election coup in 2022.
Although he continues to deny all accusations, denouncing “persecution”, the case could soon lead to legal proceedings. The defense has already announced its intention to appeal this decision.
