Bolsonaro Ally Claims Conviction Boosts 'Victim Narrative,' Magnitsky Push

An ally of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claims that the recent conviction of Eduardo Bolsonaro by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) bolsters their position as victims and provides them with increased leverage. Paulo Figueiredo told Folha de S.Paulo that the STF's ruling against the former federal deputy "accentuates our position as victims and increases our ammunition."

Eduardo Bolsonaro received a sentence of four years and two months in prison, initially in a semi-open regime, for coercing the judicial process. His actions in the United States aimed to intimidate Brazilian judiciary officials and hinder investigations into a coup plot. The conviction, which occurred on Tuesday, renders him ineligible to run for elections for eight years, labeling him "ficha suja" (unclean record). He also faces a fine of approximately R$150,000 and will lose his position as a Federal Police scribe, from which he is currently suspended.

Figueiredo stated that the conviction reinforces arguments he and Eduardo have been presenting in the U.S., particularly regarding the return of the Magnitsky Act. This U.S. law imposes sanctions on foreign nationals accused of severe human rights violations or corruption. While previously applied to Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes, it was withdrawn after improved relations between Brazilian President Lula da Silva and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

"We found the conviction amusing. It changes nothing in our lives except accentuating our position as victims and increasing our ammunition," Figueiredo said. He and Eduardo Bolsonaro intend to return to Brazil only if Flávio Bolsonaro is elected president. Figueiredo added that the conviction provides them with "additional ammunition against the other ministers on the list."