Jair Bolsonaro Hid at the Hungarian Embassy While Brazil Authorities Investigated Him; Hungary Ambassador Summoned To Answer Why
It was recently discovered that soon after Brazil's federal police confiscated former President Jair Bolsonaro's passport, he tried to flee and hid at the Embassy of Hungary for two nights. This prompted Brazilian authorities to investigate the incident and also call in the envoy from Hungary to explain why the former president hid there.
Footage from security cameras in the Hungarian Embassy in Brazil was obtained by The New York Times and it showed Bolsonaro arriving there and staying at the embassy for the next two days. While this was happening, Brazilian police investigated him for his various crimes, including his coup attempt.
Footage from the embassy showed that while he was staying there, Bolsonaro was often seen being "accompanied by two security guards and waited on by the Hungarian ambassador and staff members." It was noted that he cannot be arrested while at the embassy as this is considered part of Hungarian territory, not Brazil. Arresting him there could breach international laws.
Jair Bolsonaro was seen arriving at the entrance gate of the Hungarian embassy on February 12, 2024, at the height of the investigations, where many thought he could be arrested any day. However, he left around the afternoon of February 14.
He is believed to have sought to leverage his friendship with a fellow far-right leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, so he could evade the Brazilian justice system. Orban has been known for his friendship with various autocrats and far-right leaders like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
A plan to host Bolsonaro at the Hungarian embassy was confirmed by a Hungarian Embassy official, who spoke with The New York Times on the condition of anonymity. Bolsonaro himself has already confirmed he stayed at the Hungarian Embassy for two nights.
READ MORE: Jair Bolsonaro Under Probe for Allegedly Harassing a Humpback Whale May Be Fined 2,500 Reais ($500)
Hungary Envoy Summoned by Brazilian Government To Explain Jair Bolsonaro Sleepover
As soon as the New York Times revealed that Bolsonaro was sleeping at the Hungarian Embassy, Brazil's foreign ministry immediately summoned the Hungarian ambassador to explain why they allowed Bolsonaro to stay there.
However, according to The Guardian, during that entire 20-minute meeting with Brazilian diplomats on Monday afternoon, the ambassador from Hungary only maintained his silence.
Meanwhile, the New York Times report also resulted in Bolsonaro getting mocked online, with the Bolsonaro fujão hashtag locally trending in Brazil. It roughly translates to "Bolsonaro Runaway" to mock the former president's attempts to run away from justice with the help of Hungary.
Brazil Authorities Would Have Had Trouble if Jair Bolsonaro Continued Staying at the Hungarian Embassy
While Bolsonaro only stayed at the Hungarian Embassy for two nights, it could have been a disaster for Brazil as it could have ended up much like the situation in Panama, where its former President Ricardo Martinelli sought refuge in the Nicaraguan Embassy to evade arrest. This is because local authorities would not have any jurisdiction inside any foreign embassy.
Following the release of the report, Bolsonaro's lawyers released a statement that read, "In the days he was at the Hungarian embassy, by invitation, the former Brazilian president spoke to countless authorities from the friendly country for updates on the political scenarios of both nations," his lawyers said in the statement. "Any other interpretations ... constitute an evidently fictional work, with no connection to the reality of the facts."
READ MORE: Trials for Jair Bolsonaro Supporters Begin Over the January 8 Riots
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Bolsonaro passou dois dias na Embaixada da Hungria depois de perder passaporte diplomático - Rádio BandNews FM
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