Brazil's Top Court Orders House Arrest for Bolsonaro Amid Coup Trial

Brazil’s Supreme Court placed ex-President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for violating trial restrictions. His lawyers will appeal. The U.S. condemned the move, and Trump imposed tariffs on Brazil while calling the trial a “witch hunt.” Pro-Bolsonaro protests continue with lower turnout.

Brazil’s Supreme Court on Monday placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest, a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against him as he faces trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate a coup after his loss in the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The decision was issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over the case. In his ruling, Moraes cited Bolsonaro’s violation of precautionary measures imposed by the court in July.

Those earlier restrictions included the requirement for Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor and observe a curfew limiting his movements during the ongoing trial. The court had also banned him from using social media platforms, following accusations that he was attempting to interfere with the legal process by delivering inflammatory speeches which were subsequently shared online by his sons and political allies. The ban was strict, extending to third parties, who were prohibited from reposting or broadcasting any of his public remarks.

Despite these conditions, Bolsonaro’s supporters defied the court’s orders on Sunday by broadcasting a live phone call between the former president and one of his sons during a pro-Bolsonaro rally. The act was viewed by the court as a breach of the imposed restrictions and prompted a swift response from Justice Moraes. In addition to the house arrest order, he prohibited Bolsonaro from receiving visits, with exceptions made only for his legal counsel and persons explicitly authorized by the court. The ruling also included the confiscation of mobile phones from Bolsonaro’s residence in Rio de Janeiro, a move meant to prevent any further communication or unauthorized public engagement.

Bolsonaro’s legal team responded promptly, issuing a public statement announcing their intent to appeal the decision. They argued that their client had not broken any of the conditions set by the court and maintained that the measures taken against him were excessive and unwarranted.

The decision drew strong criticism from the United States. According to Reuters, the U.S. State Department condemned the house arrest order, accusing Justice Moraes of misusing Brazilian institutions to stifle political opposition and undermine democratic values. The statement emphasized that the U.S. would take steps to hold accountable any individuals involved in what it described as sanctioned misconduct.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the matter, calling the ongoing legal proceedings against Bolsonaro a “witch hunt.” In a move directly tied to the situation, Trump recently imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of Brazilian imports, including coffee. This tariff rate marks the highest he has ever applied to any country. Additionally, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Justice Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the United States to sanction foreign nationals deemed responsible for significant human rights violations or corruption.

In a related development, Brazil experienced widespread protests on Sunday as tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took to the streets in several major cities. Demonstrators called for an amnesty for Bolsonaro and other individuals accused of involvement in the attempted coup. The protesters’ grievances trace back to January 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress and called on the military to assume control of the government. During the recent rallies, many attendees carried American flags and signs expressing support for Trump, underscoring the ideological and political alignment between Bolsonaro’s base and the former U.S. president.

Although Bolsonaro had not yet been placed under house arrest at the time of the protests, he was still subject to the curfew that restricted him from leaving his home on weekends and holidays, which prevented him from attending the demonstrations in person. In recent months, however, the number of participants in pro-Bolsonaro rallies has been declining, reflecting a possible shift in public sentiment or organizational challenges among his supporters.