Brazil's Supreme Court has banned Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a presidential candidate, from visiting his father for 90 days, citing violations of the former president's house arrest conditions.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes issued the ruling on Monday after Flavio read a handwritten letter from his father during a live broadcast on social media.
Impact on Election Campaign
The 90-day restriction will remain in effect until after the first round of the presidential election scheduled for October 4. This means Flavio will be unable to meet with his father for most of the campaign period.
The court also gave Jair Bolsonaro's lawyers 48 hours to explain whether the former president knew the letter would be published online.
In the letter, Jair Bolsonaro called on his political allies to set aside their differences and support his son's presidential campaign.
Reactions
Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator and the leading conservative rival to Lula, described the ruling as "disproportionate" and accused Supreme Federal Court Vice President Moraes of attempting to interfere in the election.
Bolsonaro's campaign lawyer argued that the ruling was "illegal and unconstitutional," claiming that Flavio's rights as both a family member and one of his father's lawyers had been violated.
Jair Bolsonaro's Legal Situation
Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty in September 2025 of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2022 election and sentenced to more than 27 years in prison. The sentence was commuted to house arrest due to health issues.
The former president is barred from using social media or communicating through third parties while under house arrest. His supporters stormed government buildings in January 2023 following the election, in an attempted insurrection.
Bolsonaro, known for his closeness to U.S. President Donald Trump, has never conceded his 2022 election loss and claims he did not receive a fair trial.
Challenges in Flavio's Campaign
Jair Bolsonaro remains an influential figure on the Brazilian right and is backing his eldest son as his political heir. However, Flavio's campaign has faced several difficulties in recent months. His ties to a banker involved in a major financial scandal have come under scrutiny, while a public falling-out with his stepmother, former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro, has also drawn attention.
