Brazil’s police open a probe into presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro

The investigation centres on whether Bolsonaro committed defamation by linking President Lula to crimes like drug trafficking.Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered a probe into whether right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro issued defamatory statements about his election rival, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.On Wednesday, a decision from Justice Alexandre de Moraes was published, allowing the Federal Police to proceed with an investigation into posts Bolsonaro published in January.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Brazil announces US partnership to intercept weapons, drug traffickinglist 2 of 3Brazil’s fugitive ex-intel chief detained by US immigration authoritieslist 3 of 3Lula asks US to send ex-intelligence chief to Brazil after ICE arrestend of listBolsonaro, at the time, responded to news that the United States had abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with insinuations linking Lula to crimes.“Lula will be exposed,” Bolsonaro posted on the social media platform X, with screenshots of a handcuffed Maduro and an article about Lula.He then predicted that the left-wing alliance known as the Sao Paulo Forum would collapse in scandal.“It is the end of the Sao Paulo Forum: international drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, support for terrorists and dictatorships, rigged elections,” Bolsonaro wrote.There are limitations to the freedom of speech in Brazil, and under its penal code, defamation can be a criminal offence. Prosecutors have the option of seeking heightened penalties for defamation against presidents or heads of state.The Federal Police have a period of 60 days to carry out their initial investigation.But in a statement to local media, a spokesperson for Bolsonaro, a senator for Rio de Janeiro, denounced the probe as a violation of his rights.“The senator limited himself to reporting facts and detailing crimes for which Nicolas Maduro was arrested and is being prosecuted internationally,” the statement said, adding that there was no “direct criminal accusation against” Lula.