In a stunning political development, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro spent two nights inside the Hungarian embassy in Brasília, reportedly seeking political asylum. This clandestine move came just days after Brazilian authorities confiscated his passport as part of a sweeping investigation into an alleged coup plot.
The far-right leader's presence at the embassy from February 12th to 14th was confirmed by sources close to the matter, revealing a dramatic attempt to secure protection from potential prosecution. The investigation, led by the Brazilian Supreme Court, centres on allegations that Bolsonaro and his allies conspired to overturn the 2022 election results that brought leftist rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to power.
Diplomatic Intrigue and Denials
Bolsonaro's advisor, Fabio Wajngarten, swiftly denied the asylum claims, stating the former president was merely meeting with officials. However, the timing and duration of his stay have raised eyebrows across the international community.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a known ideological ally of Bolsonaro, has maintained a conspicuous silence on the matter. The Hungarian government has yet to issue an official statement, leaving diplomats and analysts to speculate on the potential ramifications for Brazil-Hungary relations.
A Deepening Legal Crisis
The passport seizure and subsequent embassy incident mark a significant escalation in Bolsonaro's legal troubles. Federal police executed a major operation, arresting key figures and seizing assets belonging to dozens of suspects allegedly involved in the plot to keep Bolsonaro in power.
This probe is the most serious of several investigations facing the former president, including allegations of falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records and improperly retaining expensive jewellery gifted by foreign nations.
The political drama continues to unfold, casting a long shadow over Brazilian politics and testing the resilience of its democratic institutions in the post-Bolsonaro era.
