Brazil's defeated presidential candidate says court barred him from leaving country

Brazil's defeated presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro declared on Monday that the Supreme Court had prohibited him from departing the country following his electoral loss to incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The senator announced this via a video posted on X, stating that Federal Police officers had served the order upon his visit to his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.

Bolsonaro alleged that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the ruling on Sunday night, following Lula's victory declaration. The exact legal basis for the travel restriction was not immediately disclosed, and the court order remained inaccessible. Bolsonaro claimed the decision was prompted by a statement made by his brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, on October 23, suggesting he leave Brazil if he lost the election.

"I never thought about leaving the country," Bolsonaro stated, affirming his intention to comply with the passport surrender order while contesting the ruling. He characterized the decision as an attempt to coerce him and vowed to persist in his political endeavors. Bolsonaro also reiterated his intention to challenge the legitimacy of Lula's winning ticket, alleging irregularities in Sunday's vote.