Bolsonaro's son ordered to surrender passports amid investigations after Brazil election loss

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has been ordered by Brazil's Supreme Court to surrender all his passports, including his diplomatic one, and is prohibited from leaving the country. The order, issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, came shortly after Bolsonaro's defeat in the recent presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro confirmed the decision, stating he was served with the notice after visiting his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.

The directive is part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged money laundering. Authorities are probing Bolsonaro's suspected involvement with lawyer Willer Tomaz in a scheme reportedly worth around £680 million (approximately $905 million USD), which is believed to have utilized betting companies for illicit financial activities. As part of the ruling, Bolsonaro is also forbidden from contacting Tomaz. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

The passport seizure follows suggestions from Bolsonaro's brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, that Flávio should leave Brazil if he lost the election. However, Flávio Bolsonaro has publicly stated he never intended to flee the country and will comply with the court's order. This development adds to a complex political landscape in Brazil, which has seen ongoing legal challenges for members of the Bolsonaro family.