Brazil's PGR seeks hearing of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in calúnia case against President Lula

The Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR) asked the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to order the Federal Police to record the testimony of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL‑RJ) in an investigation that accuses him of calúnia (defamation) against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The case stems from a post on the social network X dated 3 January, in which Bolsonaro wrote that “Lula will be denounced… the end of the São Paulo Forum: international drug trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, support for terrorists and dictatorships, fraudulent elections.” The Federal Police concluded that Bolsonaro’s statement constituted calúnia, citing the criminal code articles 138 and 141. The PGR’s opinion, addressed to STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes, stresses that the hearing is of “special relevance, especially because a possible retraction could exempt the investigated party from punishment.” The request also notes that the investigation should be returned to the Federal Police for the testimony before any final decision is made.

The PGR’s move follows the conclusion of the police inquiry and adds a procedural step that could influence the eventual legal outcome for the senator, who is also a pre‑candidate for the presidency.