Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday was placed under house arrest by the country’s Supreme Court as he stands trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate a coup following his 2022 election loss to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.The order, issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, came after Bolsonaro violated precautionary measures previously imposed by the court. Moraes said that the former president had posted content through his son’s social media channels, breaching court-imposed restrictions, reported AP.Prosecutors accuse the far-right leader of heading a criminal organization that conspired to keep him in power by force. Allegations include plotting to kill President Lula and a Supreme Court justice, charges that mark one of the most serious legal challenges Bolsonaro has faced since leaving office.In his ruling, Justice Moraes warned of a “concrete possibility” that Bolsonaro might try to flee the country. He also claimed that Bolsonaro had appealed to the “head of state of a foreign nation” in an attempt to interfere with Brazil’s judicial system—an act Moraes described as a violation of national sovereignty.The latest order keeps Bolsonaro under electronic ankle monitoring, limits visits to only family members and lawyers, and authorises the seizure of all mobile phones from his home in Rio de Janeiro. It follows a July ruling that had already placed curfews on his activities.Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing, and the case has drawn international attention. Earlier, US President Donald Trump defended Bolsonaro, calling him the victim of a politically motivated prosecution.“I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you. This trial should end immediately!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.Brazil’s Former President Bolsonaro placed under house arrest; Supreme Court cites breach of restrictions; phones seized, visitor ban enforced
