On Monday, Brazil’s Supreme Court prohibited presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro from meeting with his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. The restriction will remain in effect until the conclusion of the first round of the October elections.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the ruling after Flavio Bolsonaro publicized a handwritten note from his father via YouTube. This action violated a standing court order that prohibits the elder Bolsonaro from utilizing social media platforms either personally or through intermediaries. De Moraes labeled the behavior as a display of disregard for judicial authority and identified the senator as a repeat offender.
As a result, Flavio Bolsonaro’s visitation privileges are suspended for 90 days. Additionally, the court has directed Jair Bolsonaro’s legal team to justify why the former president should not face repercussions for violating the communication ban. Jair Bolsonaro, 71, is currently serving a 27-year term for his involvement in a plot to subvert the 2022 presidential election outcome.
While Flavio Bolsonaro has been leading the conservative movement, his campaign has recently struggled due to a financial controversy and public friction with his stepmother, Michelle Bolsonaro. Defense attorney Tracy Reinaldet condemned the court’s decision as unconstitutional, arguing that it infringes upon family rights and prevents the necessary legal consultations between the senator and his client.
