Eduardo Bolsonaro charged with coercion as Brazil's political crisis widens

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil's chief prosecutor charged Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, with coercion on Monday, the attorney general's office said. The indictment alleges he repeatedly acted to place the republic's interests under personal and family agendas, exposing Brazil to potential sanctions from foreign governments.

The charges come weeks after Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty of plotting a coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison. Eduardo Bolsonaro, who resides in the United States, denounced the charges as bogus on social media, saying it was absurd to accuse him of obstructing justice and that he learned of the case through the press. Prosecutors have said they will seek compensation for damages resulting from the alleged actions. The case adds to a wave of legal and political tension surrounding the Bolsonaro family as they navigate a climate of international scrutiny and domestic protests.

The indictment also names businessman Paulo Figueiredo, the grandson of former dictator João Batista Figueiredo, among those charged in the case. Eduardo Bolsonaro relocated to the United States earlier this year and has said he fears arrest if he returns to Brazil. In interviews, he has publicly lobbied for support from the Trump administration, which has described the Bolsonaro case as a witch hunt and has signaled willingness to apply economic pressure in favor of the former president's allies.

In response to the broader political dispute, the United States has pursued measures tied to Brazil’s leadership and judiciary. Earlier this month, U.S. officials announced sanctions on the wife of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over Bolsonaro’s trial. Moraes condemned the sanctions as illegal and regrettable. The foreign-policy moves come as Bolsonaro loyalists argue for greater protections against what they describe as judicial overreach, while Lula da Silva’s government argues the judiciary must remain independent.

Jair Bolsonaro's conviction has intensified demonstrations across the country. Tens of thousands of Brazilians gathered in cities Sunday to protest a bill critics dub the Banditry Bill, which would require a secret ballot in Congress before lawmakers could be charged or arrested. Supporters say the measure is designed to shield elected officials from what they call judicial overreach, but opponents contend it would amount to impunity. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk and has asserted that the demonstrations reflect a demand for accountability, rather than impunity.

The political and legal battles surrounding the Bolsonaro family unfold as Brazil faces international scrutiny over anti-corruption efforts, economic pressures, and a debated amnesty framework that could shield lawmakers from prosecution. Analysts say the charges against Eduardo Bolsonaro intensify the sense that the country is navigating a high-stakes constitutional struggle, with potential implications for Brazil's relations with allies abroad and the stability of its already polarized political landscape.