Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is currently confined to his home due to his controversial social media activity.
On August 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of Brazil placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest at his residence in Brasília [1]. The arrest is connected to allegations that Bolsonaro was plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results, in which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The charges against Bolsonaro include leading a criminal conspiracy aiming to overthrow democratic institutions, plans to assassinate top government officials, inciting unrest through social media, and involvement in the insurrection in Brasília in 2023. Authorities launched an operation called “Operation Counter-coup,” uncovering evidence such as wiretaps and videos supporting these allegations [1].
In addition to house arrest, Bolsonaro is subject to various restrictions, including wearing an electronic bracelet, observing nighttime house arrest, and refraining from using social media. The court has also prohibited Bolsonaro from using mobile phones [1].
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over the case, justified his ruling against Bolsonaro due to a speech he made on August 3, 2023, via video link. Excerpts of the speech were later shared on social media, which de Moraes interpreted as an attempt to exert pressure on investigative bodies and the judiciary [1].
Bolsonaro denies all charges, calling the legal action a political witch hunt. The trial is ongoing, with a verdict expected by the end of 2025 [1].
The U.S. government imposed sanctions on Justice Alexandre de Moraes on July 30, accusing him of using the judicial system for political persecution of the opposition [1]. These incidents occurred shortly after Lula's inauguration as the president of Brazil.
The specific charges against Bolsonaro in relation to the events of January 8, 2023, are that he attempted to undermine the democratic legal order by inciting his supporters to storm Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace in Brasília [1].
The court's actions against Bolsonaro remain in effect, and the former president is currently communicating with a limited circle of individuals. The current trial against Bolsonaro is reportedly nearing its conclusion.
[1] Source: BBC News, The Guardian, Reuters, and Associated Press.
War-and-conflicts are revolving around the case of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. The trial, involving policy-and-legislation and politics, continues, with the former president denying all charges and claiming it's a political witch hunt.
The ongoing trial has significant implications for general-news, as it sheds light on the current state of democracy in Brazil and the role of the judiciary in enforcing democratic institutions, following controversial events such as the insurrection in Brasília in 2023.
