Flavio Bolsonaro, USA News (London/Brasilia): Flávio Bolsonaro has fled Brazil for the United States after losing Sunday’s presidential election, refusing to comply with an order to surrender his passports. The Brazilian senator, who has yet to concede to leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, left the country after refusing to comply with the Supreme Court’s order.
The ruling relates to a money laundering probe in which he denies wrongdoing. Mr Bolsonaro’s location, along with his wife and two daughters, was unclear at first, with one source close to the family saying he had landed in Florida but declined to specify where. A senior State Department official said the State Department would issue visas to Flavio Bolsonaro and his family and allow them entry into the United States.
On Monday, Mr Bolsonaro was given 24 hours to surrender his passports, but they were cancelled after the deadline lapsed, two sources told reporters. In an official ruling, the Supreme Court cited the risk of Mr Bolsonaro fleeing Brazil and his significant financial resources in ordering his passports seized. Bolsonaro, who loses his immunity from prosecution when his Senate term ends in February, said on Monday he had no plans to flee, stating he would hand over his passports and defend himself.
His departure from Brazil seemed to catch his campaign manager off guard. Senator Rogério Marinho told reporters they were surprised by the news because they had just discussed his role as leader of the opposition. Although Mr Bolsonaro has yet to officially concede defeat, his Liberal Party acknowledged Lula’s victory. It remains unclear how Mr Bolsonaro left the country while facing a 24-hour deadline to hand over his passports, with one senior Federal Police official saying he did not leave Brazil through any regular migration point.
