Brazil's Supreme Court Places Former President Jair Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered former president Jair Bolsonaro to serve house arrest as he stands trial for allegedly conspiring to stage a coup. This ruling follows claims that Bolsonaro failed to adhere to previous restraining orders.

The Supreme Court of Brazil has announced a decision to place former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest amid ongoing investigations into his alleged plot to orchestrate a coup. The ruling is the latest development in a case that Bolsonaro vehemently denies.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes, responsible for overseeing the proceedings, justified this measure by citing Bolsonaro's non-compliance with previous restraining orders. In a noteworthy twist, U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Bolsonaro's trial as a "witch-hunt," has implemented a 50% tariff on certain Brazilian imports, leveraging the situation politically, despite enjoying a trade surplus with Brazil.

Recent political rallies supporting Bolsonaro took place across several cities in Brazil. During one such event in Rio de Janeiro, Flávio Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons and a sitting senator, engaged the crowd by placing his father on speakerphone, reinforcing their bond amid the escalating legal challenges.

In addition to the house arrest, Judge Moraes has put several restrictions in place: Bolsonaro cannot receive visitors except his legal team or those authorized by the Supreme Court, nor can he directly use a mobile phone. Previously imposed conditions included wearing an ankle monitor, adhering to a curfew, refraining from social media activity, and avoiding contact with his son Eduardo, who has been advocating for him to U.S. officials.

As investigations unfold, the political landscape in Brazil remains charged, with both Bolsonaro supporters and critics closely monitoring the developments in this high-stakes trial. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.