A prominent Polish Member of the European Parliament, Dominik Tarczyński, has publicly accused the Brazilian government of attempting to jail former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, describing these actions as "communist." Tarczyński's remarks, shared via social media, specifically claimed that Eduardo Bolsonaro's passport had been seized, asserting a concerted effort to prevent them from participating in future elections.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces multiple significant legal challenges, including charges related to an alleged coup attempt to overturn the 2022 election results. In February 2025, the Office of the Attorney General indicted Bolsonaro for crimes such as attempted coup d'état and abolition of the democratic rule of law, with the Brazilian Supreme Court unanimously accepting the indictment in March 2025. This makes him a defendant in a trial that could lead to a prison sentence ranging from 12 to 36 years if convicted.
As part of ongoing investigations into the alleged coup plot, Jair Bolsonaro's passport was seized by Brazilian federal police in February 2024. He has also been banned from seeking public office until 2030 by Brazil's top electoral court due to his baseless attacks on the country's electronic voting system. Bolsonaro has consistently denied all accusations, labeling them a "witch hunt" by political opponents.
While the tweet from Dominik Tarczyński claims Eduardo Bolsonaro's passport was seized, reports indicate that the Brazilian Supreme Court has been weighing whether to seize his passport over accusations of interference in his father's case. Eduardo Bolsonaro, a federal representative, has been in the United States since late February 2025 and stated he would seek political asylum there if his passport were to be seized. He has been actively lobbying US officials regarding his father's legal situation.
The legal proceedings against the Bolsonaros have drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly supporting Jair Bolsonaro and criticizing the Brazilian judiciary. Trump has threatened tariffs on Brazilian goods, citing what he calls a "witch hunt" against his ally. These developments underscore the deeply polarized political landscape in Brazil and the far-reaching implications of the ongoing legal battles for the nation's democratic institutions.