Bolsonaro claims 'political persecution' in going to US - NHKニュース

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has issued a statement after arriving in the United States, claiming he left his country to avoid "political persecution."

Bolsonaro, a right-wing senator, arrived in the US state of Florida on Wednesday after losing Sunday's Brazilian presidential runoff election to left-wing incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

After the election, Brazil's Supreme Court forbade Bolsonaro from leaving the country, citing suspicion of his involvement in alleged money laundering and other activities.

In his statement posted on social media, Bolsonaro again suggested that he does not accept Lula's election victory. He also referred to the Supreme Court's move as part of a "witch hunt." He stressed, "It was not my intention to leave my homeland."

He also thanked US President Donald Trump, who allowed him to enter the country. Bolsonaro added that he will lead the opposition from abroad and oppose Lula's administration.

Bolsonaro in the first version of his statement referred to himself as "the true president of Brazil" but in a later one described himself as "the leader of Brazil."

Separately, Trump spoke to reporters on Wednesday about Bolsonaro. He acknowledged that he allowed the senator to enter the country. However, he suggested that he will maintain a political distance by saying, "I won't get involved."