Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro Under House Arrest Amid Coup Plot Allegations

Brazil: Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been placed under house arrest following an order from the Supreme Court. He is currently standing trial over allegations that he plotted a coup against the government, charges which he strongly denies.

Reasons for the Arrest

The judge overseeing the investigation, Alexandre de Moraes, stated that the decision to place Bolsonaro under house arrest was due to his failure to comply with previous restraining orders. These orders were issued last month in response to concerns about his actions and communications.

Mr. Moraes, who has also faced sanctions from the US, accused Bolsonaro of using the social media platforms of his allies, including his sons, to disseminate messages that incited attacks on the Supreme Court and promoted foreign intervention in the Brazilian judicial system. These actions were deemed a direct violation of the restraining orders.

Pro-Bolsonaro Rallies and Restrictions

Recently, pro-Bolsonaro rallies were held in various cities across Brazil. During one such rally in Rio de Janeiro, Flávio Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons and a senator, briefly put his father on speakerphone to address the assembled crowd. Furthermore, it was reported that Flávio later posted a video of his father sending a message to supporters, which he subsequently deleted.

In addition to house arrest, Mr. Moraes has imposed several restrictions on Bolsonaro's activities. He is banned from receiving visits, except from lawyers or individuals authorized by the Supreme Court, and from using a mobile phone directly or through third parties. Previously, he had been ordered to wear an ankle tag, adhere to a curfew, abstain from using social media, and avoid contact with his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been lobbying US officials on his behalf in the United States. These restrictions are in place due to concerns that Bolsonaro was encouraging Donald Trump to interfere in the ongoing case.

This is a developing news story, and further details will be published as they become available.