Brazil Opens Yet Another Judicial Probe Against Jair Bolsonaro, Already Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison

Published September 19, 2025

Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) Justice Flávio Dino opened an inquiry this week against former President Jair Bolsonaro and his three oldest sons over alleged irregular practices during the Bolsonaro administration’s handling of the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, local outlets reported on Thursday.

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) has launched a new judicial investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro, targeting him alongside his sons—Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, Councilman Carlos Bolsonaro—and roughly 20 other individuals, including former government officials, lawmakers, and journalists. The inquiry stems from a petition by the Brazilian Federal Police, which in late 2024 requested STF authorization to probe alleged corruption and mismanagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, one of the former president’s sons also targeted by the inquiry, responded in a note, writing, “Shame on you, Dino.” The younger Bolsonaro accompanied the statement with an image containing past headlines taken from the STF’s website and Brazilian outlets detailing instances in which the STF and the prosecutor general archived or dismissed inquiries against Bolsonaro related to the handling of the pandemic between 2020 and 2023.

Toma vergonha, Dino. pic.twitter.com/BuJha8wLdB

— Flavio Bolsonaro (@FlavioBolsonaro) September 18, 2025

“Okay, they’ve put me in another investigation… democratically: now derived from that COVID CPMI! Let’s go for unshakeable democracy,” Councilman Carlos Bolsonaro wrote on social media.

– Pronto, me meteram em mais um inquérito… democraticamente: agora derivado da tal CPMI da COVID! Vamos de democracia inabalável!

— Carlos Bolsonaro (@CarlosBolsonaro) September 18, 2025

The investigation relies heavily on a 1,180-page report from a 2021 Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) in the Brazilian Senate. The CPI accused Bolsonaro and associates of multiple crimes, including malfeasance, “charlatanism,” epidemic resulting in death, violation of preventive health measures, irregular use of public funds, incitement to crime, forgery of private documents, crimes of responsibility, and even crimes against humanity in the form of extermination, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

The CPI report argued that Bolsonaro’s denial of the virus and vaccines contributed to a higher death toll in Brazil. It also highlighted suspicions of corruption in vaccine procurement and deaths linked to the use of unproven treatments. Despite these findings, Brazil’s Office of the Prosecutor General concluded in July 2022 that the evidence was insufficient to open an investigation at the time.

In approving the new inquiry, STF Justice Flávio Dino emphasized that “the legal requirements necessary for the initiation of a Police Investigation are present, so that the facts dealt with in the case files can be investigated.” Dino highlighted evidence of crimes against public administration, including bid rigging, overbilling, embezzlement, and contracts with “front” companies for fictitious services. He authorized the Federal Police to conduct an initial 60-day investigation into Bolsonaro and the other individuals named in the petition.

This latest probe adds to a long series of legal challenges faced by Bolsonaro since leaving office in January 2023. Just days earlier, the STF convicted and sentenced him to 27 years and three months in prison for crimes against democracy, ruling that he orchestrated a coup attempt to overturn the 2022 election results. Additionally, Bolsonaro recently received a $188,750 fine for allegedly making racist remarks in 2021, and his chief medical officer announced he was diagnosed with an intermediate form of skin cancer after surgical removal of multiple lesions.

Due to a prior STF order by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Bolsonaro is currently under strict house arrest and barred from making public statements or using any phone devices. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro condemned the inquiry, calling it “Shame on you, Dino,” while Councilman Carlos Bolsonaro responded on social media with defiant remarks about democracy.

Justice Flávio Dino, a former Lula administration justice minister and former member of the Communist Party of Brazil, has been on the STF since 2024. He recently issued rulings aimed at protecting Justice Alexandre de Moraes from international sanctions while upholding judicial authority within Brazil.

The new investigation underscores the complex legal and political landscape surrounding Bolsonaro, reflecting ongoing tensions between Brazil’s judiciary, political institutions, and former leaders.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro leaves the hospital where he went to undergo a skin surgery procedure, authorized by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, leaving the house arrest after being convicted by a Supreme Court majority of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election, in Brasilia,.

 Implications

The new judicial probe against Jair Bolsonaro carries several significant implications:

1. Legal Pressure Intensifies – Bolsonaro, already sentenced to 27 years for attempting to overturn the 2022 election, now faces additional investigations tied to his administration’s handling of COVID-19. This increases his legal vulnerability and could lead to further convictions or penalties.

2. Political Consequences – The inquiry could weaken Bolsonaro’s political influence in Brazil, especially if his sons—who hold elected offices—are also implicated. It may damage his ability to mobilize support for future elections or maintain his current political network.

3. Public Accountability – The probe signals Brazil’s judiciary is actively scrutinizing former leaders for public health mismanagement and alleged corruption, which may restore some public trust in institutions.

4. International Perception – Continued legal action against a high-profile former president may draw international attention, reinforcing concerns about governance, accountability, and political instability in Brazil.

5. Impact on Governance and Policy Debate – Investigations into the misuse of public funds or mishandling of the pandemic may prompt reforms in health policy oversight, procurement processes, and emergency response measures.

In short, this probe deepens Bolsonaro’s legal troubles, undermines his political standing, and highlights systemic accountability issues in Brazil.

 Overall Takeaway:

SOURCES: BREITBART – Brazil Opens Yet Another Judicial Probe Against Jair Bolsonaro, Already Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison

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