Bolsonaro Spying Scandal: Brazil Police Investigation
- RIO DE JANEIRO — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and 35 others face accusations from Brazil's federal police of participating in a widespread scheme.
- The federal police report alleges Bolsonaro was aware of the scheme and benefited from it.
- According to the federal police, Bolsonaro and Carlos bolsonaro defined the criminal association's strategic guidelines.
Federal police accuse former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of orchestrating a wide-ranging spying scheme using the nation’s intelligence agency. The investigation, detailed in a 1,125-page document released by the Supreme Court, reveals that Bolsonaro allegedly targeted judges, lawmakers, and journalists. His son, Carlos Bolsonaro, is also implicated as a key figure in the operation. This news adds to the legal challenges facing the far-right leader, who is already prohibited from running in the next election. Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing, claiming political persecution. News Directory 3 provides comprehensive coverage of this developing story. prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet will now decide whether to pursue a trial in the Supreme Court. Discover what’s next in this unfolding political drama.
Bolsonaro accused in Brazil Spying Scheme Involving Intelligence Agency
Updated June 19, 2025
RIO DE JANEIRO — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and 35 others face accusations from Brazil’s federal police of participating in a widespread scheme. The scheme allegedly involved using the nation’s intelligence agency too spy on members of the judiciary, lawmakers, and journalists. The Supreme Court released the 1,125-page document Wednesday, adding to the legal troubles of the far-right leader.
The federal police report alleges Bolsonaro was aware of the scheme and benefited from it. Investigator Daniel Carvalho Brasil Nascimento identified Carlos Bolsonaro,a Rio de Janeiro councilor and one of the former president’s sons,as a key player. The investigation centers on a purported parallel structure within Brazil’s intelligence agency and the role it played.
According to the federal police, Bolsonaro and Carlos bolsonaro defined the criminal association’s strategic guidelines. They allegedly selected targets for clandestine actions against opponents, institutions, and the electoral system to gain political advantages. The police stated they were the decision-makers and primary beneficiaries of illicit gains.
Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is already barred from running in next year’s elections by Brazil’s electoral court. He is also on trial for allegedly attempting a coup to remain in office after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing, claiming political persecution.
João Pedro Padua, a law professor at the fluminense Federal University, noted that Bolsonaro faces a count of leading a criminal organization in the coup case. This prevented federal police from requesting the same charge in the current accusations, due to a legal principle against double punishment for the same act. However, the evidence can still be used in the coup probe.
Celso Vilardi, Bolsonaro’s lawyer, said he had yet to analyze the federal police report and its accusations.
Luiz Fernando Corrêa, head of Brazil’s intelligence agency under Lula, also faces accusations of undue interference in investigations. Agency staffers issued a statement Tuesday calling for his resignation. He has not commented.
The Supreme Court will pass the police investigation to Prosecutor-General Paulo gonet, who will decide whether to take the case to the Supreme Court for trial. Last year, police arrested five people in connection with the case, suspecting misuse of the Brazilian intelligence agency.
Court documents revealed that several authorities were under illegal investigation. These included former speakers Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Maia, Supreme Court justices, officials from Brazil’s environmental agency Ibama, former sao Paulo Gov. João Doria, and prominent political journalists.
What’s next
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet will review the investigation and determine whether the Supreme Court will hear the case against Bolsonaro and the others accused of misusing the intelligence agency.