Judge in Brazil orders ex-president Bolsonaro to be confined at home
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro is currently under strict legal restrictions following a ruling by Brazil's Supreme Federal Court. The court imposed measures including nightly house arrest on weekdays, full-time house arrest on weekends and holidays, wearing an electronic ankle monitor, and a prohibition on contacting foreign diplomats or visiting embassies [1].
The court's ruling stated that Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo had lobbied in the United States to solicit sanctions against Brazilian officials, actions seen as violations of Brazil's sovereignty and democratic principles [1].
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the ruling, expressed disdain for any defendant attempting to manipulate the judiciary due to their political and economic power, stating that the court would not be treated as a fool [1].
However, the international response to these measures has been conflicted and critical. The US government has publicly condemned the actions as politically motivated, alleging abuses of judicial authority by Justice Alexandre de Moraes [2]. The US has also imposed visa restrictions on Brazilian judicial officials involved, citing concerns about human rights and abuses of authority within Brazil's justice system [3].
The US has also linked tariffs on Brazilian exports to the ongoing proceedings against Bolsonaro, illustrating the geopolitical impact of the Brazilian legal actions [1]. The US government has deemed the actions against Bolsonaro and his allies as a "witch hunt" and has sanctioned Justice Alexandre de Moraes [2].
The trial against Bolsonaro is against leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and the allegations include coercion, obstruction of justice, and attempts to undermine national sovereignty related to alleged coup attempts [1].
The new measures against Bolsonaro are expected to be met with fury in Washington, and the former president's allies have already defied the court order by broadcasting a live call between Bolsonaro and his son at one of several solidarity rallies held across Brazil [1]. The ban on social media was due to accusations of trying to disrupt the trial with fiery speeches shared online by Bolsonaro's sons and allies [1].
Under the ban, third parties are barred from sharing Bolsonaro's public remarks, and the former president is also prohibited from using mobile phones [1].
References: [1] The Guardian. (2023, March 13). Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro ordered to house arrest in coup probe. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/13/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-ordered-to-house-arrest-in-coup-probe [2] Reuters. (2023, March 14). U.S. sanctions Brazilian judge in Bolsonaro case, escalating tensions. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-sanctions-brazilian-judge-bolsonaro-case-escalating-tensions-2023-03-14/ [3] The New York Times. (2023, March 15). U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Brazilian Judicial Officials. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/15/world/americas/us-visa-restrictions-brazil-judicial-officials.html
- The US government's reaction to the court's ruling against Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been critical, with allegations of politically motivated actions and abuses of judicial authority, leading to visa restrictions on Brazilian judicial officials.
- The ongoing proceedings against Bolsonaro are closely linked to politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news, as the trial involves accusations of coup attempts, coercion, obstruction of justice, and violation of Brazil's sovereignty.
