In Brazil, the Bolsonaro clan is on trial for suspected illegal espionage

Pressure on former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s staff increased on Monday, January 29, as part of an investigation into suspected illegal spying on political opponents during his tenure.

“New inventions were carried out in continuity” Of the operation conducted on Thursday, January 25, “With the aim of investigating a criminal organization within the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) », the Federal Police (PF) said in a press release. One of the targets of the searches was Carlos Bolsonaro, a municipal councilor in Rio de Janeiro and the second of four sons of the former far-right president, according to a judicial ruling authorizing the searches Monday in several Brazilian states.

Investigators suspect that ABIN used Israeli spyware called FirstMile to spy on hundreds of politicians and public figures during the Bolsonaro presidency (2019-2022). PF disclosed in its press release that this “New Phase” The operation launched last Thursday targeted “To identify the main recipients and beneficiaries of information illegally produced by ABIN through political core, covert acts”.

“persecution”

A judicial ruling signed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes specifically mentions ABIN’s request for information about the investigation. “Involving the President (bolsonaro) and his three sons ». A February 2020 request by an aide to Carlos Bolsonaro to an associate of the then head of the intelligence agency, Alexandre Ramagem, during an exchange of messages on WhatsApp reproduced in a court document, according to investigators.

“One of my sons would never make such a request, and if he had, Mr. Ramagame would have refused it.”During an interview with the CNN Brazil channel, Jair Bolsonaro announced on Monday January 29. “I have never received any information about anyone’s whereabouts. I have never required, requested or received any report from ABIN”The former president insisted, saying he was a victim “persecution”. According to him, his son Carlos will be interviewed by the police on Tuesday. But one of the family’s lawyers, Fabio Wagengarten, later revealed on social networks ” n / A(will run) No link” An investigation began with ABIN but for threats allegedly received by his father.

The former head of ABIN, now a federal deputy in Mr Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party, was the target of one of twenty-one searches carried out on Thursday in connection with the affair.

Leak rumors

On Monday, police went to a total of nine addresses in Rio de Janeiro (southeast), Goiás (central west) and Bahia (northeast), as well as in the Federal District of Brasilia. Carlos Bolsonaro’s home in Rio de Janeiro and his office at the municipal assembly were searched. Police also went to the residence where Jair Bolsonaro and his first three sons were staying in the coastal town of Angra dos Reis, about 150 kilometers from Rio.

The former president’s third son, deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, condemned “Extra” Committed, according to him, during the search, denounced the legal proceedings “Illegal in addition to being unethical”. He also denied rumors that the Bolsonaro clan fled by boat after learning of the discovery. “As soon as they knew PF was in residence, Jer and Carlos came home”, he assured. Lawyer Fabio Wagengarten said he had left for a fishing trip at dawn. Globonews television images showed police officers leaving the Angra dos Reis home as Jair Bolsonaro and his son Carlos were filmed outside the front door.

The judicial document that authorized the first search cited Judge Moraes as among the people who had been spied on at the time, such as Rodrigo Maia, former president of the Chamber of Deputies, and Camilo Santana, then governor of the state of Carrara (Northeast). and now Minister of Education under leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Sentenced to eight years of disqualification in 2023 for transmitting false information on an electronic voting system, Jair Bolsonaro, 68, has been beset in business since losing the late 2022 presidential election to Lula, particularly for corruption.