Rio de Janeiro.- Senator and Brazilian presidential pre-candidate Flávio Bolsonaro accused Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes this Monday of interfering in the electoral process that will culminate in the October elections, by prohibiting him from visiting his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The far-right leader is under house arrest after serving a 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup d’état.
In a live broadcast on social media, the senator described the measure as “disproportionate and unfair” and maintained that the 90-day incommunicado period coincides with the electoral calendar, which would prevent any contact with his father until after the first round of the elections.
“It is no coincidence that this deadline ends just after the first round,” stated on his YouTube channel the one who, until now, is seen as the main rival of the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking reelection.
“Unjust conviction”
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The senator recalled that on previous occasions the former head of state (2019-2022) had released public letters without it resulting in sanctions.
Flávio Bolsonaro also recalled that during the period when Lula was imprisoned for corruption, the former president wrote 22 letters that were released publicly without similar restrictions being imposed on him.
According to the senator, the progressive leader was able to maintain constant communication with his political allies and the press from prison, which contrasts with the limitations his father faces today.
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For the conservative pre-candidate, the restrictions imposed on family visits and communication with lawyers seek to isolate his father, whom he described as a victim of an “unjust” conviction.
The arguments for the judge’s decision
In his decision, Justice De Moraes held that Flávio Bolsonaro violated the precautionary measures imposed on his father by reading on social media a letter that the former president wrote to him.
In the letter, the far-right leader reiterated his support for his eldest son’s presidential candidacy and called for unity, after his son was publicly criticized by his stepmother and former first lady, Michelle Bolsonaro.
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The judge argued that the reading of the letter contradicts the prohibition against Bolsonaro disseminating messages on social media, even through third parties, and “suggests” that the former president had “full knowledge” that the text would be broadcast on digital platforms.
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For the magistrate, this action constitutes a direct breach of the restrictions imposed within the framework of his sentence.
The electoral landscape in Brazil
Jair Bolsonaro named his firstborn as his political successor after being convicted, but the measure will keep them incommunicado until after the first round of the legislative, regional, and presidential elections on October 4th.
Meanwhile, Lula, who is seeking his fourth non-consecutive term, has a six-point lead over Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a potential second-round scenario of the presidential elections.
According to data from the latest survey by the firm Quaest, Lula recorded 44% of voting intentions compared to 38% for the far-right presidential pre-candidate.
