Bolsonaro's Son Ordered to Surrender Passport Amid Probe

Rio de Janeiro, October 28

A Brazilian court order barring Flavio Bolsonaro from leaving the country has become central to a political dispute after reports surfaced that he had travelled to the United States. The development came shortly after his father's defeat in the presidential runoff.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, marking his 81st birthday outside the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, condemned the reported exit. He said he regretted the departure and described the decision as shameful.

Mauricio Marcon, a federal lawmaker from the Liberal Party, said on Tuesday that Flavio Bolsonaro was leaving Brazil for America. No official confirmation has been issued.

On Monday, the Supreme Federal Court halted any plans by Flavio Bolsonaro to leave Brazil. The ruling is part of a money laundering investigation that targets both him and lawyer Viller Tomaz.

Brazilian media reported that the country's immigration records contain no evidence of Bolsonaro passing through a regular border checkpoint. Federal police are now probing whether he departed and, if he did, how he managed to do so.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes has directed Bolsonaro to submit his passport and has stopped him from contacting Tomaz. Federal investigators are looking into suspected money laundering and unlawful foreign currency transactions involving the two men.

In the runoff election held on Sunday, Lula secured 51.79 percent of the valid votes, while Bolsonaro obtained 48.21 percent.

Flavio Bolsonaro, aged 45, is the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and has served in the Senate since 2019.