Bolsonaro’s brief stay at the Hungarian embassy came four days after Brazil’s federal police confiscated his passport and arrested some of his former aides. Under international law, national authorities are not allowed to arrest individuals in foreign embassies.
It’s not uncommon for politicians to go to prison in Brazil. Current President Lula Da Silva was jailed while leading in the polls against Bolsonaro in 2018, paving the way for the latter’s victory. Bolsonaro subsequently appointed a key judge who pursued that case as justice minister. Lula’s convictions were later annulled.
Earlier this month, Brazil’s Supreme Court released documents showing that, after losing the 2022 election, Bolsonaro presented a plan to overturn the results to top military officials. He is also being investigated for other alleged crimes, which he denies.
Last year, Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília in scenes reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
While Trump wants to run to become U.S. President this year, Brazilian authorities last year banned Bolsonaro from holding public office until 2030.
