Search of Bolsonaro’s Home Yields No Weapons, Confirms Lawyer
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — On Wednesday, Brazil’s federal police conducted a search at the residence of Jair Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian President currently under house arrest. According to Bolsonaro’s attorney, João Henrique Nascimento de Freitas, the search did not result in the discovery of any weapons or ammunition.
Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence in Brasília following his conviction for attempting a coup post his 2022 electoral defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Despite the search, Freitas reported on social media platform X, “Nothing was found.” His statement was corroborated by a federal police official who spoke under the condition of anonymity.
The Supreme Court of Brazil had ordered the search due to inconsistencies between the number of firearms registered under Bolsonaro’s name and those turned over to authorities. This order was signed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Tuesday. The issue gained attention after a firearm belonging to Bolsonaro was confiscated from a military officer at a checkpoint last month. Nevertheless, Bolsonaro was permitted to continue his house arrest, as per a decision by De Moraes.
Bolsonaro’s trial, which began in September with his sentence starting in November, attracted international scrutiny. In March, considerations for his health led to his confinement being downgraded to house arrest. The trial drew more attention when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a significant tariff on Brazilian goods, criticizing what he described as a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro, a political ally.
Among those involved in the controversy is Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, who was convicted earlier this year for attempting to coerce the U.S. government into pressuring Brazilian authorities to halt his father’s trial. Although some tariffs were later reduced, the Trump administration hinted at imposing additional tariffs due to alleged unfair trade practices, despite a notable U.S. trade surplus with Brazil.
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