Brazil bans Flávio Bolsonaro from leaving country over money-laundering probe

Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Senator Flávio Bolsonaro to surrender his passports and banned him from leaving the country. The measure is part of a money-laundering investigation into his financial ties with a lawyer and companies linked to the gambling business.

Federal Police agents notified the senator on Monday as he left his father's residence in Brasília. Former President Jair Bolsonaro is serving house arrest in the federal capital.

“It was a decision made according to the election result. A political matter.”

The order cancels all of Flávio Bolsonaro's Brazilian passports, including diplomatic ones, and gives him 24 hours to hand over any documents from other nationalities. He is also prohibited from contacting lawyer Willer Tomaz, who is investigated in the same case.

The decision came one day after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Bolsonaro in the second round of the 2026 presidential elections. Flávio Bolsonaro said federal police approached him after a visit to his father.

Flávio Bolsonaro called the ruling political retaliation and intimidation, but said he would comply. He denied ever planning to leave Brazil and questioned the use of his brother Eduardo's statements as justification.

According to the senator, the order was signed on Sunday night and was based on remarks Eduardo made on October 23. Eduardo had suggested Flávio consider leaving Brazil if he lost the election, citing possible judicial investigations after his Senate term ends.

The senator must deliver his ordinary and diplomatic passports within 24 hours and remains barred from leaving Brazilian territory.