
Thu Aug 21 01:08:54 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the article, followed by a news article written from it, keeping an Indian perspective in mind when appropriate, reflecting that The Hindu is an Indian newspaper.
**Summary:**
The article reports that Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro allegedly drafted a request for political asylum in Argentina in February 2024, shortly after his home and office were searched as part of a coup plot investigation. Federal police found messages on his phone revealing this plan. He is also facing potential obstruction of justice charges alongside his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro. The messages also reveal efforts to influence former U.S. President Donald Trump to affect legal proceedings in Brazil, with some friction apparent between father and son over the situation.
**News Article:**
**Bolsonaro Sought Asylum in Argentina Amidst Coup Inquiry, Police Say**
*The Hindu, Brasilia* – August 21, 2025 – Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly sought political asylum in Argentina amidst a growing investigation into an alleged coup attempt, according to federal police documents reviewed by the Associated Press. The documents, extracted from Bolsonaro’s phone, suggest he feared “political persecution” and considered fleeing to the neighboring country in February 2024.
The revelation comes as Bolsonaro faces increasing legal pressure. He is currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling regarding the alleged coup plot, and now also faces potential obstruction of justice charges along with his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a lawmaker who resides in the United States.
According to a 170-page police report submitted to Brazil’s Supreme Court, Bolsonaro drafted a letter to Argentine President Javier Milei on February 10, 2024, requesting asylum. This was just two days after authorities searched his home and office. In the letter, he cited “political persecution” and fears for his life.
“I, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, request political asylum from Your Excellency in the Republic of Argentina, under an urgent regime, as I find myself in a situation of political persecution in Brazil and fear for my life,” the former Brazilian leader wrote.
Adding to the complexity, reports indicate that Bolsonaro spent two nights at the Hungarian Embassy in Brasília around the same time, fueling speculation about potential attempts to evade arrest.
The investigation also reveals efforts by Bolsonaro and his son to curry favor with former U.S. President Donald Trump, allegedly aiming to influence the legal proceedings in Brazil. Messages suggest concern that a change in U.S. policy towards Brazil could negatively impact Bolsonaro’s situation. Eduardo Bolsonaro allegedly even pressed his father to “ACT RESPONSIBLY” to improve their position.
Eduardo Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the leaked conversations with his father are “absolutely normal.” He has also alleged that the publication of the communications has a political bias.
The revelations will undoubtedly further polarize the already tense political climate in Brazil. This situation is of particular interest globally, including India, given the potential implications for democratic institutions and the rule of law. The developments in Brazil also underscore the complexities of international relations and the role of political asylum in a world grappling with shifting political landscapes. As the investigation unfolds, the world watches closely, hoping for transparency and justice in the handling of these serious allegations.