Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro asked the Supreme Federal Court on Monday to reconsider a 90-day ban on visits by his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, arguing that the restriction is disproportionate and should not prevent professional contact between a lawyer and client.
The request challenges a decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a member of Brazil’s highest court, who suspended Flávio’s authorization to visit his father after the senator publicly read a letter written by the former president. In the letter, Bolsonaro empowered his son to act as a spokesman in this year’s electoral dispute, according to CNN Brasil.
Bolsonaro’s defense asked Moraes to reverse the measure. If he refuses, the lawyers want the appeal sent to the court’s First Panel, one of the Supreme Court’s smaller judging chambers.
The filing argues that a full suspension of visits is excessive in relation to the conduct attributed to the former president. The lawyers said Bolsonaro “never had knowledge” that his son would disclose the handwritten letter publicly, and denied any prior arrangement for the text to be posted or used on social media.
“Indeed, as clarified in the case file, the appellant never had knowledge of the means by which the handwritten letter would later be disclosed, nor was there any prior agreement for the use of social networks,” the defense said, according to CNN Brasil.
The case adds another legal front to Bolsonaro’s already intense relationship with Brazil’s judiciary. Moraes has played a central role in proceedings involving Bolsonaro and his allies, and his decisions often draw sharp reactions from the former president’s supporters. This article is based on single-source reporting from CNN Brasil.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers also framed the matter as a family-rights issue. They argued that maintaining family ties is a relevant part of sentence enforcement and cited Brazilian and international rules that protect the right of people deprived of liberty to maintain contact with relatives.
As an alternative request, the defense asked that Flávio be allowed to meet with Bolsonaro in his capacity as a lawyer, even if the court maintains the suspension of family visits. Flávio is formally listed as part of the former president’s legal team.
The lawyers said Moraes relied on a provision of Brazil’s Law on Penal Execution that permits restrictions on visits from family members and friends. They argued, however, that the rule does not apply to professional communication between a lawyer and client.
The defense also said Flávio’s family relationship with Bolsonaro does not cancel his professional role. It added that the presence of other lawyers in the case does not remove Bolsonaro’s right to communicate with a trusted legal representative.