PGR defends maintaining Bolsonaro's house arrest, but sees violation in letter to Flávio

Brazil's Prosecutor-General's Office (PGR) has recommended keeping former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest, while also flagging a letter he sent to his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, as a violation of his restrictions. The PGR stated that the letter, read aloud by Flávio on social media, was intended for a broad audience and aimed to influence the current election year. In the message, Bolsonaro referred to his son as his "spokesperson," endorsed his presidential candidacy, and urged allies to support his campaign.

Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet argued that the letter's creation and delivery violated the prohibition against external communication, whether direct or through third parties, which is a condition of Bolsonaro's house arrest. Gonet also noted that Flávio's subsequent social media post contravened the ban on indirectly using social media platforms. The PGR suggested clearer rules to prevent Bolsonaro's personal contacts from being used to interfere in the electoral campaign.

However, the PGR concluded that an immediate return to closed custody would be disproportionate, given the medical reasons that led to the granting and extension of Bolsonaro's humanitarian house arrest. The office advocated for maintaining the benefit but proposed measures to prevent future occurrences, potentially including restricting personal contacts that could convey electoral messages. This stance follows Bolsonaro's defense team's assertion to the Supreme Court that he was unaware the letter would be publicly shared by his son. Justice Alexandre de Moraes had previously suspended Flávio's visits to his father for 90 days after the letter's release, citing disrespect for the house arrest conditions.