Jair Bolsonaro has since come under scrutiny over the January 8 riots in the capital, Brasilia.
Miami, United States:
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under investigation for storming government buildings by his supporters, is seeking a six-month visa to stay in the United States, his lawyer said on Monday.
Bolsonaro flew to Florida in late December as his term expired rather than watch the inauguration of his leftist successor, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
He is understood to have entered on a visa for world leaders, which expires on Tuesday as he is no longer on official business.
AG Immigration Group, a California-based law firm known for its work with Brazilians, said Bolsonaro has requested a six-month visa to stay in the United States.
“We look forward to achieving the highest level of satisfaction and desired outcome for our client,” it said in a statement.
Bolsonaro previously told CNN Brasil that he planned to return by the end of January, and was considering an earlier departure for health reasons.
In 2018, the far-right leader was injured in a knife attack. He had continued to suffer health complications from that attack, and received hospital care while living in Florida.
But Bolsonaro has since come under scrutiny over riots in the capital, Brasilia, on January 8 after his supporters refused to accept Lula’s victory.
The new government has ordered an investigation into Bolsonaro and arrested his last justice minister, Anderson Torres.
Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court buildings in Brasilia in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Lula.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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