Flávio Bolsonaro ordered to testify to Federal Police in defamation probe of President Lula

On 7 July 2026, Supreme Court minister Alexandre de Moraes ordered the Federal Police (PF) to take the testimony of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL‑RJ) within ten days. The testimony is required in an investigation of alleged calúnia (defamation) against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, based on posts made by Bolsonaro on the social‑media platform X on 3 January 2026. In those posts the senator accused Lula of drug trafficking, money‑laundering, support for terrorists, election fraud and linked him to Venezuelan ex‑president Nicolás Maduro. The order follows a request from Prosecutor‑General Paulo Gonet, who described the step as of “special relevance”, and a prior PF report that found “concrete indications” of defamation. Moraes wrote, “ACOLHO a manifestação da Procuradoria‑Geral da República e DETERMINO O RETORNO DOS AUTOS à Polícia Federal para que proceda à oitiva do investigado, no prazo máximo de 10 (dez) dias.” The hearing will be completed before the Prosecutor‑General decides whether to file charges. Bolsonaro, a pre‑presidential candidate, faces the inquiry amid Brazil’s 2026 election cycle.