Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro is seeking the return of his passport to visit Israel amid his mounting legal troubles, sparking speculation that he may be seeking refuge abroad. His defense lawyer and spokesperson, Fabio Wajngarten, confirmed the request on social media, stating that the passport is needed for an official visit to Israel next month.
Bolsonaro has faced a series of investigations following allegations that he attempted to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he lost. As a result, his passport was seized by the authorities. Recent reports suggest that he may be seeking support and political asylum from fellow far-right leaders, such as Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Bolsonaro maintains that his visit to the Hungarian embassy was to foster relations with the country, not to evade arrest. He has also justified his travel plans to Israel as an official invitation from the Israeli Prime Minister.
This is not the first time Bolsonaro has traveled abroad during a time of political turmoil. In December, he abruptly left Brazil for Florida just before his successor was set to take office, leading to accusations of attempting to avoid accountability. His actions during this time, including casting doubt on the election results, have further fueled speculation about his motives for seeking refuge abroad.