Bolsonaro about requesting house arrest if convicted: ‘I don’t ask anything, I’m innocent’

Former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) rules out, at this time, to request house arrest if the first class of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) accepts the request for conviction of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). “I don’t ask for anything. I’m innocent. It doesn’t go through my head for prison,” he said on Thursday, 17.

Bolsonaro gave an interview in the Federal Senate after paying a visit to his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ). The former president reinforced innocence in the case of the attempted coup and bet on the elections to this legislative house in 2026 to intensify the confrontation with the judiciary.

“There is huge interest in the Senate elections. We want a strong Senate to balance the powers,” he said.

This Monday, 14, the Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, asked the former president to be convicted of participating in a coup plan.

The PGR has called for Bolsonaro’s conviction for five crimes: leadership of armed criminal organization, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup d’état, damage qualified by violence and serious threat against the union’s assets and with considerable damage to the victim and deterioration of overturned assets. Added, penalties can reach 43 years in prison.

“There is nothing to bind me to these acts. Innocent people arrested. It seems to me that they were arrested to justify my arrest. Forty years in jail. Justice is being done with me?” Asked Bolsonaro, accompanied by his son and PL deputies.

Bolsonaro also made himself available to talk to US President Donald Trump to contain the tariff conflict between the two countries.

In the conviction of the former president, he would be able to block this investigation and the 50% rates imposed on Brazil. “I think it would be successful with President Trump. I am available,” he said. “If you give me a passport, business.”

The former president had the document retained in February 2024, in operation of the Federal Police in the investigation into the alleged attempted coup.

Since the imposition of sanctions by the United States, licensed federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), also the former president’s son, has been conditioning a possible retreat from Americans if a “broad, general and unrestricted” amnesty is approved to those who are involved in the January 8 scammers.

“Let’s assume he wants amnesty. Is it a lot?” Bolsonaro, who recognized the impact of Trump’s measures. “Everyone will suffer. In particular, the poorest.”

GENIAL RESEARCH/QUAREST released on Wednesday, 16, points out that most Brazilians disagree with Trump’s justifications for the announcement of tariffs against imported national products.

For 72% of respondents, Trump is wrong in imposing new rates on the grounds that there is a judicial persecution on Bolsonaro.

Asked about this research, Bolsonaro doubted his validity and said he is not to blame for Trump’s announced. “Am I culprit? He is doing with the whole world,” he said.