Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has been ordered by the Supreme Court to wear an ankle monitor and stay home during most hours, amid concerns he may flee the country before his trial related to charges of attempting a coup after the 2022 election. This move escalates tensions between Brazilian authorities and former President Trump's intervention efforts.
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Ankle Monitor on Jair Bolsonaro Amid Coup Charges
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Ankle Monitor on Jair Bolsonaro Amid Coup Charges
The former president of Brazil faces significant legal restrictions, raising tensions with the Trump administration over political interference allegations.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has mandated that Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, wear an ankle monitor and remain largely at home as he awaits trial on allegations of attempting a coup following his election loss in 2022. This order was enacted on Friday and signals the court's belief that Bolsonaro may attempt to flee the country before legal proceedings commence.
In a coordinated operation with the Supreme Court’s directive, Brazilian federal police conducted a search of Bolsonaro’s residence on Friday morning. Reports revealed footage of Bolsonaro arriving at a governmental facility to have the ankle monitor attached.
Bolsonaro’s legal representative, Paulo Cunha Bueno, confirmed the court’s decision to impose the monitoring device. Additional conditions restrict him from using social media and communicating with his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is currently in Washington advocating for intervention from the Trump administration in his father’s legal matters.
The former president’s defense team expressed astonishment and indignation regarding the stringent measures imposed despite their compliance with previous court directives. The imposition of these restrictions marks a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Bolsonaro and the Brazilian government, particularly in light of President Trump's vocal support for him.
Just hours prior, Trump shared a letter online asserting that the charges against Bolsonaro stem from political motivations rather than legitimate legal concerns. He also announced potential tariffs on Brazilian imports as a tactic to coerce Brazilian authorities into dropping the charges against his ally.
As developments unfold in this politically charged legal battle, the implications of Bolsonaro's situation are likely to reverberate throughout Brazil and its relations with the United States.
