Hungarian embassy in Brasilia last month. This followed the confiscation of his passport by police in an investigation into an alleged plot to stage a military coup. The investigation was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes after Bolsonaro’s defeat by leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot, but former army and air force commanders have claimed that he asked them to join the plans, which they refused. Security camera footage showing Bolsonaro entering the Hungarian embassy on February 12-14 was first reported by the New York Times. On February 8, police seized Bolsonaro’s passport and accused him of preparing a draft decree to annul the election results and pressure military commanders to join the coup.
Moraes gave Bolsonaro until Wednesday to explain the purpose of his stay at the embassy. Bolsonaro’s lawyer stated that he was there to maintain contact with officials of a friendly country and receive updates on political matters. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a nationalist and political ally of Bolsonaro, did not respond to requests for comment.
Bolsonaro, who is no longer in power, has maintained close relations with Orban. Last year, a Brazilian court ruled him ineligible for political office until 2030 for spreading electoral disinformation. He also faces potential criminal charges related to his covid-19 vaccination certificate. Bolsonaro met with Orban during the inauguration of Argentina’s right-wing president Javier Miley this year, showcasing their ongoing relationship
