Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be placed under house arrest, following accusations of violating conditions previously imposed during the pre-trial phase of an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot.
The ruling, issued on Sunday (August 4) by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, comes in light of Bolsonaro allegedly breaching court-imposed restrictions. The former president is facing multiple charges, including inciting violent uprisings and providing support for the storming of key government institutions such as the National Congress in January 2023. These acts were reportedly in response to his rejection of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s electoral victory.
Bolsonaro is also accused of leading an armed criminal organization and engaging in conspiratorial activity aimed at overturning democratic institutions.
Under the new court order, Bolsonaro will remain under strict judicial surveillance. He is only allowed to have contact with close family members and his legal team. Furthermore, all mobile phones in his residence are to be confiscated by court authorities. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 12 years in prison.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated that the former president has been actively inciting attacks against the Supreme Court and encouraging foreign intervention in Brazil’s judiciary actions that have escalated into a potential constitutional crisis.
Reports also indicate that Bolsonaro’s close ally, former United States President Donald Trump, has demanded that Brazil halt the proceedings against Bolsonaro. It has even been alleged that Trump threatened a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports in retaliation.
In response to this, current Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that Donald Trump is the President of the United States not the “ruler of the world.” Lula reiterated that Brazil’s judiciary is independent and that no external party can interfere with its decisions.