Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Faces House Arrest: Brazil’s Supreme Court Judge Takes Action

A Brazilian supreme court judge has decided to place former president Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest. This ruling comes after Bolsonaro allegedly violated measures meant to prevent him from evading punishment related to an alleged coup attempt.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated that Bolsonaro ignored a ban on using social media. He had been ordered not to share any messages online, especially as tensions rose with supporters rallying in his favor. Despite the restrictions, Bolsonaro reportedly used the accounts of allies to post messages encouraging protests against the Supreme Federal Court.

Moraes noted that Bolsonaro participated in a pro-Bolsonaro demonstration in Rio de Janeiro by phone. His son, senator Flávio Bolsonaro, publicly broadcasted his father’s speech, only to delete the evidence later in what Moraes deemed a clear attempt to hide the breach of rules.

The house arrest applies to a mansion in Brasília where Bolsonaro lives. He can only see close family and lawyers, and federal police will seize any mobile phones in the vicinity. The law enforcement is preparing for protests, with barricades set up around important government buildings due to rising support for Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro faces serious charges related to attempting to overturn the election results in which he lost to current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The political landscape in Brazil has been tense, with many supporters rallying around Bolsonaro and even hoping for intervention from U.S. figures, like Donald Trump. Protests have been gaining momentum, and Bolsonaro’s supporters are urging foreign leaders to step in.

Political analyst Fernando Gabeira expressed that the court’s strategy seems to be a gradual approach to arrest, designed to prevent a sudden shock to the system. Recent statistics show that public feelings toward Bolsonaro remain deeply divided, with fervent support and vocal opposition in equal measure.

In recent developments, Trump placed sanctions on Justice Moraes, stating he was responsible for oppressive actions against Bolsonaro. Some supporters, like Lindovaldo Ribeiro Paulo, expressed gratitude for Trump’s actions, hoping they would help Bolsonaro.

As the trial continues, Bolsonaro could face over 40 years in prison if convicted. This situation is drawing interesting parallels to historical political upheavals in Brazil, where past leaders faced similar struggles under political pressure.

Current events show the complexity of Brazilian politics, where social media plays a significant role in shaping narratives and influencing public opinion. The world’s eyes remain on Brazil as this story unfolds, highlighting the ongoing tension between leadership, law, and public sentiment.



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