Brazil’s Supreme Court Places Former President Jair Bolsonaro Under House Arrest Amid Coup Allegations
In a significant legal development, Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro to serve house arrest as he faces trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate a coup—a claim he firmly denies. The decision, issued by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, comes in light of Bolsonaro’s failure to adhere to restraining orders imposed on him last month.
Bolsonaro’s legal team has responded by denying any violation of these orders and announcing their intention to appeal the court’s ruling, according to reports from Reuters. The U.S. State Department has also weighed in, condemning the court’s decision and stating that it will hold accountable those involved in any sanctioned misconduct.
Adding to the political tension, former President Donald Trump has characterized Bolsonaro’s trial as a "witch-hunt," using it to justify imposing a 50% tariff on certain Brazilian goods, despite the U.S. maintaining a trade surplus with Brazil.
Judge Moraes, who has also faced U.S. sanctions, pointed out that Bolsonaro allegedly used social media platforms belonging to his allies, including his sons, to disseminate messages that incited attacks on the Supreme Court and suggested foreign interference in Brazil’s judiciary.
This past Sunday, pro-Bolsonaro demonstrations took place across multiple Brazilian cities. During one rally in Rio de Janeiro, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, one of Jair Bolsonaro’s sons, briefly connected his father via speakerphone for the crowd. Flávio later shared a video of this call, which he subsequently deleted, prompting Judge Moraes to highlight this incident in his ruling, stating that Bolsonaro "deliberately flouted" previous restrictions.
Moraes emphasized the blatant disregard for the court’s preventative measures, noting that Flávio had attempted to erase evidence of the legal transgression. As part of the house arrest conditions, Bolsonaro is prohibited from receiving visitors other than authorized legal counsel and is banned from using a mobile phone directly or indirectly.
"Justice is blind, but it is not foolish," remarked Judge Moraes, asserting that the court would not allow any defendant to evade consequences due to their political or economic influence. These restrictions were imposed amid concerns that Bolsonaro was encouraging Donald Trump to intervene in the proceedings against him.
During their overlapping presidencies, Trump and Bolsonaro maintained a cordial relationship, famously meeting at the White House in 2019. In a recent social media post, Trump expressed his support for Bolsonaro, declaring him "not guilty of anything" and praising him as a "strong leader" devoted to his country.
As these events unfold, the political landscape in Brazil remains charged, with implications for both domestic and international relations.
