A Brazilian judge has placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for violating a ban on the use of social media, escalating the tense standoff between the courts and the far-right figure accused of plotting a coup.
According to AFP, Bolsonaro—an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump—is currently on trial at Brazil's Supreme Court. He stands accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election won by the incumbent President Lula, in an attempt to remain in power himself.
Last month, 70-year-old Bolsonaro was accused of trying to interfere with his trial through inflammatory comments shared online by his son and allies, and was ordered to wear an ankle monitor and prohibited from using social media. Under the ban, third parties were also forbidden to share his public statements.
On the 3rd, Bolsonaro's supporters held rallies across Brazil. At one event in Rio de Janeiro, his allies defied the court order by broadcasting a conversation between Bolsonaro and his son live to the crowd.
Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes responded forcefully, issuing a statement on the 4th that the judiciary would not allow a defendant to "mock justice" because of his "political and economic power."
Moraes criticized Bolsonaro for "repeatedly failing to comply" with the court's restrictions, ordering him to remain under house arrest at his residence in the capital, Brasília.
The judge also banned the former president, who served from 2019 to 2022, from meeting with any visitors other than his lawyers, and prohibited him from using any mobile phone.
According to AFP, these new measures by the judge are expected to spark strong displeasure in Washington.