Displaying items by tag: house arrest

Brazil’s supreme court has placed former president Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest as he stands trial for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election won by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, citing violations of restrictions on Bolsonaro’s social media activity and political messaging, has ordered the measure. Bolsonaro, accused of leading an armed criminal group and attempting to abolish democratic rule, faces up to twelve years in prison if convicted. The prosecution links him to the January 2023 storming of Brazil’s congress and other institutions by his supporters. Bolsonaro denies all charges, calling the case a political witch hunt. The ruling has sparked political tensions, with Donald Trump’s administration imposing tariffs on Brazil and sanctions on Moraes, which Lula has called ‘unacceptable’. Bolsonaro’s movements are now restricted, and his communications have been seized; only close family and lawyers are allowed to visit. There have been widespread rallies to protest this decision: see