Brazil’s Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a request by former president Jair Bolsonaro to have his passport returned so he could attend the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The court ruled that Bolsonaro remains a flight risk, nearly a year after his passport was confiscated as part of an investigation into an alleged coup attempt following his loss in the 2022 presidential election.
“The conditions that justified the restriction on leaving the country, including the surrender of passports, continue to suggest the possibility of an attempted escape by the accused,” wrote Justice Alexandre de Moraes in the ruling.
The decision followed scrutiny over the legitimacy of an email invitation to Trump’s inauguration, reportedly sent to Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo. The invitation lacked event details, and Moraes requested additional proof, which was not provided.
Despite this, the court proceeded to assess and ultimately reject Bolsonaro’s request.
In an interview with The New York Times before the ruling, Bolsonaro, nicknamed the “Trump of the Tropics” during his presidency, expressed excitement about the prospect of attending the event.
“I feel like a kid again with Trump’s invite. I’m fired up. I’m not even taking Viagra anymore,” Bolsonaro joked, referring to Trump as “the most important guy in the world.”
While Trump prepares to return to office, the 69-year-old Bolsonaro faces numerous legal challenges stemming from his narrow election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro, who has denied all charges, claims he is being politically persecuted.
He is barred from holding public office until 2030 due to accusations of undermining the electoral system during his failed reelection bid. Additionally, he faces allegations of falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records and misappropriating luxury gifts from Saudi Arabia valued at $1.2 million.
The most serious charges allege Bolsonaro’s involvement in a plot to prevent Lula from assuming office. Authorities claim Bolsonaro had “direct and effective control” over the plan, which included an alleged conspiracy by elite soldiers to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice Moraes.
Five individuals, including a former aide to Bolsonaro, were arrested in November in connection with the assassination plot.
