Court Imposes Ankle Monitor and Curfew on Bolsonaro Amid Coup Allegations

A court ruling has placed strict monitoring measures on Jair Bolsonaro as he navigates serious charges related to political insurrection.

A Brazilian court has mandated that former president Jair Bolsonaro wear an ankle monitor and adhere to a nighttime curfew, citing concerns he might flee during his trial for plotting a coup against current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro, who held the presidency from 2019 until 2022, is alleged to have conspired to prevent Lula from assuming office following his electoral victory in October 2022. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as part of a political conspiracy.

The court’s decision follows recent actions where a police raid was conducted on Bolsonaro’s residence and political headquarters under the authority of the Supreme Court. The presiding judge, Alexandre de Moraes, also prohibited Bolsonaro from accessing social media and communicating with specific individuals, including his son Eduardo, who has been active in promoting his father’s case in the United States. The court expressed concerns that Bolsonaro had been involved in underhanded strategies that could undermine Brazilian governance.

Bolsonaro expressed deep dissatisfaction with the court's ruling, describing it as "humiliating" and stating that he had no plans to leave Brazil. His legal team has voiced "surprise and outrage" at the restrictions, asserting that Bolsonaro had consistently complied with court orders, a claim contradicted by the Federal Police’s assertions of his obstructive behaviors.

This situation escalated with reactions from U.S. President Donald Trump, who, through social media, threatened significant tariffs on Brazilian goods aimed at pressuring Brazilian authorities regarding their treatment of Bolsonaro. Lula swiftly countered this, asserting Brazil’s sovereignty and the importance of the rule of law.

Bolsonaro is currently standing trial alongside seven other individuals charged with various offenses related to a violent insurrection initiated by his supporters, which involved attacks on government buildings shortly after Lula's inauguration in January. The seriousness of these charges could result in lengthy prison sentences if Bolsonaro is convicted.

Historically, Bolsonaro and Trump shared a close rapport during their respective presidencies, and the unfolding legal drama has drawn parallels to Trump's own legal challenges. The former Brazilian leader continues to assert that he is a target of politically motivated persecution, which he argues aims to obstruct his potential run for a comeback in the 2026 presidential election.

In statements made during court hearings, Bolsonaro emphasized that any coup-related discourse had been exaggerated and that he never engaged with military leaders about possible insurrections. The political climate in Brazil remains highly charged, particularly as investigations into the January attacks have revealed intricate networks allegedly working towards undermining democratic processes, with a comprehensive report detailing claims of Bolsonaro’s leadership within such a framework.