John AdoyiBrazil’s Supreme Court has placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for allegedly breaching restrictions imposed during his trial over an attempted coup.
The order, issued on 4 August by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, said Bolsonaro had “violated precautionary measures” by addressing supporters indirectly, including through social media and a phone call to a pro‑Bolsonaro rally in Rio de Janeiro.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The justice system will not allow a defendant to make a fool out of it,” de Moraes wrote, accusing Bolsonaro and his allies of using public appearances and online channels to attack the court and pressure the judiciary.
Bolsonaro had already been barred from using social media, required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, and prohibited from using a mobile phone or receiving visitors other than his lawyers. The new ruling confines him to his
The Brasília residence permits visits only from immediate family or authorised legal counsel, and authorises the seizure of all mobile phones in his home.
Prosecutors said Bolsonaro used ally‑controlled social media to spread attacks on the Supreme Court and call for foreign intervention in Brazil’s judiciary.
The legal proceedings form part of a wide‑ranging investigation into his actions following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. Prosecutors allege he conspired with political and military allies to annul the result, incite unrest, and provoke violence. The unrest peaked on 8 January 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace in what prosecutors describe as a coordinated coup attempt.
If convicted of plotting a coup and leading a criminal organisation, Bolsonaro could face up to 12 years in prison. He is already barred from holding public office until 2030 for previous electoral offences. His lawyers have said they will appeal, insisting he did not breach any legal order.
READ ALSO: Brazil’s Supreme Court Orders Trial Of Ex-President Bolsonaro Over 2022 Coup Attempt
The ruling has heightened tensions with the United States. Former US President Donald Trump, who has called the trial a “witch‑hunt”, recently imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Brazilian imports, which he said were in retaliation for Bolsonaro’s prosecution. In turn, the US Treasury sanctioned de Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, accusing him of suppressing political opposition and committing human rights abuses.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned Washington’s actions as “unacceptable interference” and voiced support for the country’s judiciary.
Bolsonaro’s supporters have staged protests in cities including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, waving US flags and demanding his release. The trial is expected to continue for the rest of the year and could shape Brazil’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
