**In a dramatic development, former President Jair Bolsonaro is under court-ordered monitoring amid serious allegations of plotting against President Lula da Silva following the 2021 elections.**
**Court Imposes Restrictions on Bolsonaro Amid Coup Trial**
**Court Imposes Restrictions on Bolsonaro Amid Coup Trial**
**Former Brazilian President Faces Ankle Monitor and Curfew as Legal Proceedings Unfold**
A Brazilian court has imposed significant restrictions on ex-president Jair Bolsonaro as he stands trial for alleged involvement in a coup attempting to disrupt President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's inauguration in January 2023. The court mandated that Bolsonaro wear an ankle monitor and adhere to a strict nocturnal curfew over concerns he might evade the legal process. Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil's president from 2019 to 2022, has vociferously denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the legal actions against him as politically motivated.
The tumult surrounding his case heightened further after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the proceedings, labeling them a "witch hunt" and suggesting he might impose substantial tariffs on Brazilian goods—a move perceived by some as an attempt to influence the Brazilian judiciary. In response to the court's ruling, Bolsonaro described the restrictions as "superb humiliation" and emphasized that fleeing Brazil has never crossed his mind.
The Supreme Court's directive to monitor Bolsonaro comes after police executed searches at his residences and political offices last Friday. Judge Alexandre de Moraes expressed concerns over Bolsonaro's potential collaboration with his son Eduardo, who is reportedly engaging with foreign diplomats in a bid to challenge the charges against his father.
Additionally, Bolsonaro has been barred from utilizing social media platforms and communicating with individuals associated with his defense efforts and diplomatic relations. The prosecution alleges that Bolsonaro's conduct demonstrates efforts to interfere with legal proceedings, particularly targeting the democratic framework of Brazil.
The allegations surrounding Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost to Lula in the 2022 elections without ever publicly acknowledging defeat, stem from chaotic events that unfolded just days after Lula's inauguration. Supporters of Bolsonaro stormed multiple government buildings on January 8, 2023, attempting to overthrow the newly elected government.
Brazilian authorities are pursuing Bolsonaro and seven co-defendants on multiple serious charges ranging from conspiracy to stage a coup d'état to involvement in an armed criminal organization. Should he be convicted, Bolsonaro faces potential decades in prison—a prospect that looms heavily as he fights to maintain his political future ahead of Brazil's next presidential election in 2026, which he views as crucial for his return to power.
