Flávio Bolsonaro alleges political persecution after fleeing Brazil following election defeat
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has accused authorities of political persecution after fleeing to the United States following his presidential election defeat, vowing to make another bid for the presidency before 2030.
In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Bolsonaro recalled visiting his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who remains under house arrest in Brasília, shortly before leaving the country.
“I looked at his face and said, ‘Dad, the persecution has begun,’” Bolsonaro said, claiming Brazil was operating under a “state of exception”.
The defeated candidate also accused electoral authorities of allowing irregularities during the presidential run-off, alleging that his opponents had violated electoral rules.
Bolsonaro said he received a court order requiring him to surrender his passports and prohibiting him from leaving Brazil.
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Despite the order, he departed Brazil on Tuesday and arrived in Miami on Wednesday after travelling through Argentina and Ecuador.
The senator is under investigation for alleged money laundering and corruption but has not been charged. He denies wrongdoing and maintains that the proceedings are politically motivated.
Bolsonaro lost the presidential run-off to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by more than 4.4 million votes but has refused to concede defeat, alleging electoral irregularities.
His complaints include extended voting hours at some polling stations following transport disruptions and severe weather.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
