Brazil's Ex-President Bolsonaro Ordered to Wear Ankle Monitor Amid Coup Probe
Sao Paulo. Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 presidential election, his press office confirmed Friday.
Federal police also carried out searches at Bolsonaro’s home and his party’s headquarters in Brasília, according to individuals familiar with the court order. Local media reported that Bolsonaro is barred from using social media and from contacting others under investigation by the Supreme Federal Court, including his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a lawmaker currently living in the United States and known for his close ties to former US President Donald Trump.
In a statement, federal police said officers executed “two search and seizure warrants, in addition to precautionary measures other than arrest, in compliance with a decision by the Supreme Court.” The statement did not explicitly name Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro is currently on trial at the Supreme Court, accused of orchestrating an alleged attempt to stage a coup after his defeat in the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Live aerial footage from local broadcasters on Friday showed federal police vehicles outside Bolsonaro’s Brasília residence.
Congressman Sóstenes Cavalcante, leader of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party in the lower house, told The Associated Press that police also searched Bolsonaro’s office at party headquarters, calling the operation “another chapter in the persecution of conservatives and right-wing figures in Brazil.”
A lawyer for Bolsonaro did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this week, Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet told the Supreme Court that “the evidence is clear: the defendant acted systematically, throughout his mandate and after his defeat at the polls, to incite insurrection and destabilize the democratic rule of law.”
Bolsonaro has repeatedly dismissed the charges, describing the trial as a “witch hunt” on X, echoing language used by Trump, who came to his defense last week. Trump, who hosted Bolsonaro at his Mar-a-Lago resort during their presidencies, has compared Bolsonaro’s legal troubles to his own.
On Tuesday, Trump imposed a 50 percent import tax on Brazilian goods, explicitly linking the tariffs to Bolsonaro’s legal woes. Speaking at the White House, Trump repeated his claim that the trial against Bolsonaro is politically motivated.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Bolsonaro to Serve 27-Year Sentence at Home Due to Ill Health
Bolsonaro recently was put in intensive care for a few days because of kidney problems and other issues.The Latest
Jakarta Completes Rasuna Said Revamp, Removes 109 Derelict Pillars
Jakarta has completed the transformation of Rasuna Said, removing 109 abandoned monorail pillars and upgrading public spaces.Curacao Earns First-Ever World Cup Point after Goalless Draw with Ecuador
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves against a relentless Ecuador attack, allowing The Blue Wave to earn a 0-0 draw.Germany Beats Ivory Coast 2-1 to Advance to World Cup Knockout Phase
Four-time champion Germany has come back from disappointing group stage exits in 2018 and 2022.Netherlands Routs Sweden 5-1 to Lead Group F
Sweden coach Graham Potter said the defeat was less about what his team did and more about just how good Netherlands played Saturday.Dear Mr. President, Don’t Skip ASEAN Summits
Despite calls for Prabowo to stay home, the Indonesian leader still needs to attend ASEAN summits.Most Popular
