Far-right Brazil presidential candidate stabbed while campaigning

Jair Bolsonaro leading in polls

Presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro is taken on the shoulders of a supporter moments before being stabbed during a campaign rally (AP)

Brazilian far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro has been stabbed in the abdomen while campaigning on the street.

Broadcaster Globo TV reported he was undergoing surgery on Thursday afternoon, although his son said the wound was “only superficial”.

Police in Minas Gerais state, where Mr Bolsonaro was attacked, said they detained a man at the scene.

The controversial politician has caused outrage with homophobic and racist comments, but he has performed well in recent opinion polls ahead of next month’s presidential elections.

​Globo TV showed images of Mr Bolsonaro atop the shoulders of supporters in a crowd in Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais state when he was stabbed.

He is shown doubling over in pain, before being lowered to the floor by his supporters.

The far-right politician, who has spent nearly three decades in Congress, promotes tough punishments for criminals and has repeatedly said Brazilian police should kill suspected drug traffickers at will

He has openly praised Brazil’s military dictatorship, saying the regime should have killed more people.

Mr Bolsonaro faces trial before the Supreme Court for speech that prosecutors said incited hate and rape.

Fernando Haddad, who will likely be the Workers Party presidential candidate, said the stabbing was a “shame” and a “horror.”

Leftist rival Ciro Gomes took to Twitter to express sympathy for his opponent, condemn the use of violence and call on the authorities to punish whoever was responsible.

Next month’s elections have already been blighted by allegations of corruption. Mr Haddad and Geraldo Alckmin from the right wing PSDB have both been charged with receiving illegal campaign donations.