Brazil's 'national security at risk' if Bolsonaro's phone seized, says government

President Jair Bolsonaro's government warned Friday that Brazil's "national security" would be at risk if investigators granted a request to seize the far-right leader's cell phone in an obstruction of justice investigation.

The request to seize Bolsonaro's phone and that of his son Carlos was made by opposition parties in Congress, part of a probe into allegations by former justice minister Sergio Moro that the president tried to interfere in federal police investigations.

Also read: Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US

Earlier, Brazil's Supreme Court had released a video showing President Jair Bolsonaro expressing frustration that he was unable to change security officials and vowing to protect his family.

The video forms part of an investigation into allegations that the president attempted to replace senior members of the federal police.

Also read: Brazil struggling to cope up with surge in dead bodies due to COVID-19

However, Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing.

The growing political crisis comes amid concerns that Brazil could be the next epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Friday the country recorded 1,001 new deaths, bringing its total to 21,048, and it has the second highest number of cases in the world with more than 330,000.