What Are the Investigations Against Bolsonaro and What Stage Is Each At?

Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, faces several major investigations. These cases focus on claims of illegal spying, trying to overturn an election, and possible corruption. All details come from official police and court documents.

Police say that during his presidency, Bolsonaro and his team used Brazil’s intelligence agency to spy on judges, lawmakers, and journalists. They used special software to track people and collect information.

The police report says Bolsonaro benefited most from this spying. More than 30 people, including his son Carlos and former intelligence leaders, are under investigation. The Attorney General will now decide if they will face formal charges.

At the same time, Bolsonaro is on trial in Brazil’s top court for allegedly trying to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. Prosecutors say he and his close allies planned to block the transfer of power.

They face charges like trying to overthrow democracy and forming a criminal group. If found guilty, Bolsonaro could go to prison for many years.

Another investigation looks at luxury jewelry from Saudi Arabia, worth over $3 million. Customs officials found the jewels when a government aide tried to bring them into Brazil.

By law, such gifts must be declared and registered as state property or taxes must be paid. Police and tax officials are checking if Bolsonaro tried to keep the jewels for himself, breaking the rules.

Bolsonaro is already banned from running for office until 2030. This ban came after Brazil’s electoral court found he abused his power and spread false claims about the voting system.

In Brazil, many observers see a pattern similar to what happened in the United States with Donald Trump: a series of legal actions, often called “lawfare,” targeting Jair Bolsonaro, led by left-leaning political groups and an activist judiciary.

Despite these legal battles, Bolsonaro remains popular with a large part of the Brazilian public and continues to lead in polls for the 2026 presidential election, ahead of current President Lula.