Bolsonaro, Brazil's ex-president, will continue to reside under home detention - Brazilian ex-president Bolsonaro faces detention at his residence
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest by Brazil’s Supreme Court on August 5, 2025, while awaiting trial for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat. The arrest order came from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who found Bolsonaro violated previous court-imposed restrictions.
The restrictions limited Bolsonaro's social media use and banned political messaging, which Bolsonaro allegedly breached by encouraging attacks on the Supreme Federal Court and advocating foreign intervention in Brazil’s judiciary. The case has stirred strong reactions, with supporters continuing to back Bolsonaro, while the U.S. government has responded controversially.
Prior to the house arrest, Bolsonaro was required to wear an ankle bracelet after accusations that he encouraged former U.S. President Donald Trump to interfere in the investigation. Bolsonaro denies all charges.
Bolsonaro’s violation included a specific incident at a Rio de Janeiro rally when his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, put him on speakerphone, allowing him to address supporters directly, which the court saw as clear incitement.
The situation remains politically charged, with international tensions around U.S.-Brazil relations due to Trump’s support for Bolsonaro and sanctions imposed on the investigating judge, Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Bolsonaro's defense has announced plans to appeal the house arrest order.
In addition to the house arrest, Bolsonaro must serve his confinement at home rather than prison, with prior electronic monitoring via an ankle bracelet. He must also surrender all mobile phones in his household. Bolsonaro can only be visited by lawyers and close relatives during his house arrest.
Bolsonaro's supporters are protesting and demanding a pardon for him. Recently, videos have been circulating showing Bolsonaro wearing his ankle monitor at a public event in the Brazilian Congress.
The U.S. government has vowed to hold accountable anyone supporting sanctioned actions. The U.S. State Department criticized the house arrest order, accusing Judge Moraes of abusing Brazilian institutions to suppress the opposition and endanger democracy.
Bolsonaro is currently facing justice for his role in a failed coup attempt following his election defeat in 2022. He insists he has no responsibility in the matter. Bolsonaro's allies, including his son Flávio, have accused Judge Alexandre de Moraes of abusing Brazilian institutions to suppress the opposition and endanger democracy.
Trump is known to support Bolsonaro, who earned the nickname "Tropical Trump" during his earlier tenure. Recently, Trump announced 40% tariffs on a variety of products from Brazil. The U.S. Treasury Department recently sanctioned the Brazilian judge leading the investigation, Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
On January 8, 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace in Brasília. Bolsonaro is accused of spreading content that incited attacks on the court and called for foreign intervention.
References: 1. BBC News 2. The Guardian 3. Reuters
- The ongoing case of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat, has sparked intense debate among EC countries, especially in relation to policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The violation of house arrest restrictions by Bolsonaro, which includes his use of social media to advocate for foreign intervention and encourage attacks on the Supreme Federal Court, has been met with controversy, particularly in the realm of crime-and-justice.
- The U.S. government's response to Bolsonaro's house arrest has been significant, with the U.S. State Department accusing Judge Alexandre de Moraes of abusing Brazilian institutions in an attempt to suppress the opposition and endanger democracy, a claim that aligns with Bolsonaro's defense and the arguments of his allies.
