Brazil’s top court on Thursday rejected a request to return former president Jair Bolsonaro’s passport, barring him from attending US President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Bolsonaro’s passport was seized nearly a year ago amid allegations he orchestrated a coup attempt to cling to power after losing the 2022 election.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes stated that the circumstances justifying the travel ban remained, citing Bolsonaro as a flight risk.
A widely discussed email invitation to the event, addressed to Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo, was deemed insufficient proof, leading the court to deny the request.
Despite the ruling, Bolsonaro expressed excitement in an interview, calling Trump “the most important guy in the world” and joking about his eagerness to attend.
The 69-year-old ex-leader faces multiple criminal investigations, including allegations of election interference, falsified vaccination records, and a plot to block President Lula’s inauguration.
Police claim Bolsonaro was aware of an assassination plot targeting Lula, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, and Judge Moraes. Five arrests have been made in connection to the scheme.