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Diplomatic tensions have arisen due to the fact that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently facing criminal proceedings in his country, was given access to the Hungarian embassy in the capital Brasília in February.
Brazil’s foreign ministry has asked Hungarian ambassador Miklós Halmai to explain why Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of the South American country, accused of attempting a coup, was allowed to spend two nights in the Hungarian embassy, The Guardian reported.
Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, is currently under criminal investigation in his country on suspicion of plotting a coup after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. He then sought refuge in the embassy of Hungary in Brazil, The New York Times reported, showing a video of the incident.
The newspaper recalled that on February 8, Brazilian federal police seized Bolsonaro’s passport and detained two of his advisers.
That evening, Viktor Orbán tweeted a photograph in which he appeared shaking Bolsonaro’s hands and offered some words of support. “An honest patriot. Keep on fighting, Mr. President!”
An honest patriot. Keep on fighting, Mr. President! @jairbolsonaro pic.twitter.com/5mmmIAGGC3
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) February 8, 2024
Four days later, the former Brazilian president allegedly sought refuge at the Hungarian embassy. The visit suggests that Jair Bolsonaro had found a temporary refuge in the diplomatic mission as a result of his friendly relations with Orbán. Despite the New York Times‘ interpretation, according to which the former president was looking for a way to “escape justice,” Bolsonaro claims that he is a victim of a political witch-hunt.
Bolsonaro denies committing any crimes, and reacting to the news, he confirmed that he was at the Hungarian embassy, to where he claimed he was invited. He added that he has a circle of friends with leaders of certain countries who are concerned about him. Mr. Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Paulo Cunha Bueno, stressed in a statement that
the former president stayed at the embassy to discuss politics with Hungarian diplomats. “Any other interpretations,’’ he said, “are clearly fictional works. In practice, just another piece of fake news.”
Magyar Nemzet has contacted the Foreign Ministry regarding the matter.
Foreign affairs spokesman Máté Paczolay replied by saying that it was “fake news that Brazil has recalled its ambassador to Hungary.”
The Brazilian federal police have launched an investigation into the former president’s case, which could lead to his pre-trial detention. Bolsonaro was president of Brazil until January 1, 2023. He lost the 2022 election to former president Lula da Silva.
Via Magyar Nemzet, The Guardian, The New York Times; Featured image via Facebook/Jair M. Bolsonaro