Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the house arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly masterminding a coup plot to remain in office despite his defeat in the 2022 election. The court ruled that Bolsonaro had violated precautionary measures imposed on him by spreading content through his three lawmaker sons.
The decision comes after the US President Donald Trump directly tied a 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to Bolsonaro’s judicial situation, calling the proceedings a “witch hunt.” However, the Brazilian government has not commented on the case.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers said he will appeal the decision, claiming his words were not a criminal act. The trial is receiving renewed attention after the US State Department condemned Brazil’s justice system as “a U.S.-sanctioned human rights abuser” and accused its top judge of using institutions to silence opposition and threaten democracy.
The case against Bolsonaro accuses him of heading a criminal organization that plotted to overturn the election, including plans to kill opponents. The former president is expected to remain in Brasilia for his house arrest, as he is not allowed to travel.
Critics say Bolsonaro’s house arrest opens a new moment for the country’s opposition, which will gather steam in fighting against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s reelection bid next year. The decision also has sparked tensions between supporters of the far-right leader and those who back Lula’s administration.
The court’s ruling is part of an effort to address concerns about freedom of expression regarding Bolsonaro’s trial, which has sparked a heated debate in Brazil.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/brazil-bolsonaro-house-arrest-coup-plot-trial-26e2be9eee08b7e6b9f006f0c5b706e9