**Bolsonaro and Son Accused of Attempting to Evade Justice Amid Coup Trial**

Jair Bolsonaro faces serious allegations as authorities report evidence of attempts to obstruct justice during his coup trial.

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, now 70, and his son Eduardo, aged 41, have been accused by law enforcement of obstructing justice in relation to ongoing coup trial proceedings. The charges emerge as Bolsonaro stands trial for allegedly leading an attempted coup following his defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential elections.

In a detailed 170-page police report, authorities revealed that they discovered a document on Bolsonaro's mobile phone indicating his intention to flee to Argentina to avoid criminal proceedings. The report also implicates Eduardo Bolsonaro in lobbying the Trump administration on his father's behalf, which reportedly resulted in the imposition of punitive tariffs on Brazilian goods by the US.

Bolsonaro has continuously denied any involvement in conspiring to overturn the election results and claims the prosecution is part of an orchestrated "political witch hunt." He expressed doubt over the objectivity of the Supreme Court judges overseeing his case, asserting that he believed they were inclined towards convicting him. Notably, he has previously stated, "I've never considered leaving the country."

However, the police report includes a draft letter allegedly authored by Bolsonaro on his phone soliciting political asylum from Argentine President Javier Milei. Though not dated, police found that it had been edited in February 2024, around the same period when Bolsonaro surrendered his passport as part of his legal restrictions. The letter's authenticity, however, remains unverified, as Argentina's government has indicated no record of receiving it.

Alexandre de Moraes, the presiding judge, has mandated a 48-hour window for Bolsonaro's legal team to clarify this alleged asylum request. Currently under house arrest, Bolsonaro faces several restrictions, including a social media ban and limitations on contact with his son. Eduardo Bolsonaro, situated in the United States for several months, rebuffed the accusations against him, claiming that his engagement with US authorities aimed solely at promoting "individual freedoms" and had no connection to the Brazilian judicial processes.

As the situation unfolds, both sides of the legal battle are preparing for the implications of this recent police report and continuing media scrutiny.