In brief
The Supreme Court ordered Flávio Bolsonaro to hand over his passports within 24 hours as part of a money‑laundering investigation. He missed the deadline, prompting police to cancel the documents and search for evidence of an international escape. Authorities are probing suspected links between Bolsonaro’s campaign finances and foreign funding, and whether he crossed into Argentina. His failure to concede the recent presidential loss to Lula has heightened scrutiny of his political maneuvers. The case underscores Brazil’s ongoing struggle with corruption and judicial accountability.
Police in Brazil have cancelled the passports of former senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro after he failed to deliver them to authorities within a 24‑hour deadline set by the Supreme Court.
The order came as the courts investigate allegations that the senator used the documents to move money linked to a film about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest for his role in a failed coup.
Bolsonaro had declared that he intended to stay in Brazil to lead the opposition, yet after missing the deadline, speculation grew that he may have fled to Argentina. Border checks by federal officers found no record of his entry into neighbouring Argentina, according to Argentine officials.
At the same time, the Supreme Court directed police to probe Bolsonaro’s 2026 election campaign for possible foreign funding and other irregularities, adding to the scrutiny after his 48.21% vote share fell short of the 51.79% that earned President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a second term.
Bolsonaro has not conceded defeat and continues to call for the annulment of the runoff results, alleging procedural misconduct. The unfolding legal and political drama highlights Brazil’s ongoing battle with corruption and the limits of judicial oversight in high‑profile cases.
