• Former President Jair Bolsonaro is accused of orchestrating illegal surveillance using Brazil's ABIN.
• The federal police report highlights Bolsonaro as the "main beneficiary" of the surveillance scheme.
• Dozens of individuals, including his son Carlos Bolsonaro, have been formally accused in connection with the case.

Brazil's federal police have formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro, his son Carlos Bolsonaro, and others in a probe regarding an alleged illegal surveillance scheme by the intelligence agency ABIN during Bolsonaro's presidency. The investigation, which concluded recently, uncovered a "criminal organization focused on the illegal monitoring of public authorities and the production of fake news," according to police statements. The report has reached the Supreme Court but remains under seal, as noted by multiple sources including Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The allegations indicate that Bolsonaro was allegedly aware of the illegal surveillance scheme and benefited from it, as stated in the federal police report. Other high-profile figures implicated in the scheme include Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of ABIN, and Luiz Fernando Correa, the current head, who is suspected of obstructing the investigation, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Specifically, the investigation revealed that ABIN was involved in monitoring political rivals, journalists, and environmental advocates. Notably, it reportedly used advanced software to conduct surveillance operations, with Bolsonaro's administration noted for targeting figures such as Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and former São Paulo Governor Joao Doria. These actions drew significant criticism, especially when it was revealed that the agency also targeted tax auditors linked to investigations into Bolsonaro's family, as found in the reports by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Bolsonaro is already facing legal challenges in connection with a coup attempt investigation, leading to further complications in this new case. The final decision regarding charges against him will be determined by Brazil's Prosecutor General's Office, as stated by Reuters.