Try GOLD - Free
Bolsonaro given 48 hours to explain 'plans to flee Brazil'
The Guardian
|August 22, 2025
A supreme court judge has given the former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro 48 hours to explain police claims that he was planning to flee to Argentina to avoid punishment for allegedly masterminding a failed coup after losing the 2022 election.
Bolsonaro's trial for the alleged attempt to seize power is scheduled to conclude early next month. The far-right populist faces more than four decades in prison if found guilty.
Court documents made public on Wednesday night showed that federal police investigators had found a draft asylum request on the ex-president's mobile phone addressed to Argentina's rightwing president, Javier Milei. In the undated and unsigned document, Bolsonaro claimed he was "facing imminent arrest" for political motives and needed "urgent" sanctuary overseas.
An Argentinian government source told the Reuters news agency that Milei's office had not received a letter. But Brazilian police claimed the document indicated Bolsonaro had "planned to flee the country, in order to prevent the law being enforced".
This story is from the August 22, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Film review: Cameron's blue bilge is as bizarrely dull as ever
Avatar: Fire and Ash ★★☆☆☆
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
Fifa brings in £45 World Cup tickets after fans' outcry
After an angry backlash against the exorbitant prices for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA announced yesterday that it has created a new tier of tickets for supporters of the involved teams for each game, with prices capped at $60 (£45) per ticket for every match of the tournament, including the final.
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
A cheeky spin on a Christmas classic
Think of this joyful show as a cheeky nod to The Nutcracker rather than anything genuinely resembling the original.
1 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
South Africa Efforts continue to return men 'tricked' into war
South Africa’s government is in talks with Russia to bring home 17 South African men fighting for Russia in Ukraine, after the men were allegedly tricked on to the frontlines of the war by a daughter of the former South African president Jacob Zuma.
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
Liverpool parade: former marine jailed for 21 years
A former Royal Marine is starting a 21-year jail term for mowing down dozens of Liverpool football fans in a \"truly shocking\" act that \"defies ordinary understanding\".
3 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
'A creepy obsession' Ilhan Omar on attacks by Trump
\"That's Teddy,\" said Tim Mynett, husband of the US representative Ilhan Omar, as their five-year-old labrador retriever capered around her office on Capitol Hill.
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
UK to rejoin EU Erasmus programme for students
An agreement to rejoin Erasmus - the EU's student exchange programme - is expected to be announced today as part of the UK government's drive towards closer relations with Brussels.
3 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
Streeting may be winning the PR battle, but not the hearts and minds of those who matter most
There are an array of numbers relating to the NHS that it's safe to assume make Wes Streeting wince.
3 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
Victims of Iran's 2022 crackdown file legal claim against officials
A group of victims of the Iranian government crackdown during the Women, Life, Freedom protests in 2022 have filed the first criminal complaint against 40 named Iranian officials alleging crimes against humanity, including targeted blinding and murder.
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Guardian
Bondi shooting said to be ‘inspired by IS’ as police look into Philippines trip
The father and son duo allegedly behind the Bondi attack appear to have been inspired by Islamic State, the Australian prime minister said, as police confirmed that they were investigating why the pair travelled to the Philippines last month.
3 mins
December 17, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size