Bolsonaro and son indicted for obstruction of justice
New charges against the former president who, together with seven other defendants, will have to answer for attempted coup on 2 September
2' min read
2' min read
The Brazilian Federal Police have indicted former president Jair Bolsonaro and his son, MP Eduardo Bolsonaro, for attempted obstruction of justice in the trial investigating the alleged coup attempt. This was reported by the Globo Group's G1 website, pointing out that the decision is contained in a report delivered to the Brazilian Supreme Court (Stf).
Also today, evangelical pastor Silas Malafaia, close to Bolsonaro, was subjected to a personal search at Rio de Janeiro's Galeão airport, where he had just arrived from Lisbon. Malafaia was then taken to testify at the Federal Police headquarters, which seized his mobile phone, passport and other unspecified materials.
According to the police report, previously deleted audio and conversations with Malafaia and Eduardo Bolsonaro were recovered from Jair Bolsonaro's mobile phone, which, according to investigators, would reinforce attempts to intimidate the Brazilian authorities and obstruct the investigation into the alleged coup plot.
The messages identified would also include Bolsonaro's discussions with allies on a possible use of political asylum with Argentine President Javier Milei. The investigation was opened in May at the request of the Prosecutor General's Office (Pgr), which had reported Eduardo Bolsonaro's role in seeking sanctions against Greenoro Supreme Court ministers with the US government.
The case led to the opening of proceedings against Jair Bolsonaro, who was already under house detention for non-compliance with judicial orders issued by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who extended the ongoing investigation by a further 60 days, emphasising the need for further investigation.
