Why Flavio Bolsonaro is not considered a fugitive after US trip
Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in the United States on Wednesday, October 28, despite a court order requiring him to surrender his passports, but he is not considered a fugitive because no arrest warrant has been issued against him. The senator traveled with his wife and two daughters, using an Italian passport to enter Argentina and a diplomatic passport to enter the US, after Brazilian-issued passports were canceled. Federal Police had requested precautionary measures, including passport seizure and travel restrictions, amid an investigation into suspected money laundering and currency evasion involving Bolsonaro and lawyer Willer Tomaz. Legal experts say Bolsonaro violated a judicial order and could face preventive detention, but fugitive status requires an active arrest warrant. As a senator, he can only be arrested in flagrante or after a final conviction. He also faces two other investigations regarding film financing irregularities and alleged defamation of President Lula.