Brazil's Supreme Court has authorised prosecutors to charge lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro with allegedly attempting to coerce the judiciary; judges can still change the decision until 25 November. Eduardo, who lives in the United States, faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say he tried to influence judges and used US contacts to seek tariffs and sanctions tied to his father's trial. Former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced in September to more than 27 years for an alleged coup attempt.
Brazil Supreme Court Authorises Charges Against Eduardo Bolsonaro Over Alleged Judicial Coercion
Brazil's Supreme Court has authorised prosecutors to charge lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro with allegedly attempting to coerce the judiciary; judges can still change the decision until 25 November. Eduardo, who lives in the United States, faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say he tried to influence judges and used US contacts to seek tariffs and sanctions tied to his father's trial. Former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced in September to more than 27 years for an alleged coup attempt.
10:15 PM, 11/15/2025Politics
Supreme Court authorises charges against Eduardo Bolsonaro
Brazil's Supreme Court on Saturday authorised prosecutors to bring criminal charges against lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, over allegations that he sought to coerce the judiciary. The court's decision remains subject to change until 25 November, though a reversal would be highly unusual.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, who resides in the United States, faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors allege he attempted to influence judges to secure a lighter sentence for his father in the trial related to an alleged coup attempt. They also claim he sought to leverage contacts within US government circles to push for punitive tariffs on Brazilian goods and for sanctions targeting judges involved in the proceedings.
Legal and political context
Presumption of innocence: The authorisation allows prosecutors to file charges but does not mean guilt. The defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Practical implications: Eduardo Bolsonaro's residence in the United States could complicate the legal process and raise diplomatic sensitivities if foreign influence allegations are pursued.
Background: In September, Brazil's Supreme Court sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to more than 27 years in prison after finding him guilty of attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Note: All allegations against Eduardo Bolsonaro are being treated as accusations in legal proceedings and have not been proven in court.