Brazilian police on Thursday searched the residence of former President Jair Bolsonaro as part of a broader investigation into the alleged falsification of his COVID-19 vaccination records. The country’s top electoral court also ordered Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor and banned him from leaving the country.
The Federal Police confirmed the raid was linked to a probe involving tampered vaccination documents that may have been used to enable international travel during the pandemic. Bolsonaro, a prominent COVID-19 vaccine skeptic, had repeatedly claimed he was never vaccinated, raising questions about how he was able to travel to countries that required proof of immunization.
According to court documents, the Supreme Federal Court authorized several new measures against the former president, including seizing his passport, restricting his movements, and requiring the use of a GPS-enabled ankle monitor. These steps are part of an ongoing effort to ensure compliance as investigators expand their scrutiny of Bolsonaro’s actions during his presidency.
The former far-right leader, who left office in January 2023 after losing his re-election bid, has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Fabio Wajngarten, called the measures “excessive” and “unjustified,” asserting that Bolsonaro has fully cooperated with all legal processes.
This latest development adds to a growing list of legal challenges Bolsonaro faces, including investigations into alleged coup plotting and attacks on Brazil’s democratic institutions.
While the former president still commands strong support among right-wing voters, the mounting legal troubles could further derail any political comeback efforts ahead of future elections.
