The judicial siege against the former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro He closed a little more on Monday, when a Judge of the Supreme Court ordered his “house arrest” for breaching a prohibition of using social networks in the framework of his trial by attempt.
In a judicial document consulted by the AFP, Judge Alexandre de Moraes pointed out the “repeated breach of the precautionary measures imposed” to the former head of state, to decree his “house arrest.”
From Moraes he blames Bolsonaro interventions disseminated by his close environment on social networks during the day of demonstrations in several cities of the country on Sunday.
In addition to remaining in his residence in Brasilia, Bolsonaro can only receive visits from his lawyers and will be prevented from using cell phones, whether he or a third party. The previous prohibitions of maintaining contacts with foreign ambassadors or representatives and using social networks are maintained.
Bolsonaro was the great absent of the mobilizations, which took place in Sao Paulo, Brasilia or Rio de Janeiro. According to judicial measures, I had to stay at home at home and on weekends.
The magistrate’s decision occurs when Bolsonaro’s judicial situation is in the center of a diplomatic hurricane between the United States and Brazil.
On Wednesday the American Department of the Treasury sanctioned the judge of Moraes, who is in charge of the process against the former president for a coup attempt.
The same day, the US president, Donald Trump, invoked a “witch hunt” against his right -wing ally to impose 50% tariffs on important Brazilian export sectors, who must enter into force on August 6.
“Justice will not allow a defendant to consider it a fool, believing that it will remain unpunished for having political and economic power,” said Moraes to justify the new measures.
“The same for everyone”
«Justice is the same for everyone. The defendant who deliberately breaches the precautionary measures – for the second time – must suffer the legal consequences, ”added the powerful magistrate.
These measures were taken on July 18 in the framework of an investigation for alleged obstruction in the process against Bolsonaro before the Supreme Federal Court.
At that time, of Moraes, whom Bolsonaro has called “dictator”, he had imposed the former president to use an electronic ankle, stay at home at night and on weekends, and total prohibition of use of social networks.
Days later, images of Bolsonaro criticizing the judge and showing before the cameras the electronic ankillera were widely disseminated in digital platforms.
“This is a symbol of maximum humiliation,” said Bolsonaro.
This time, De Moraes specifically indicates the fact that a phone call with his eldest son Flavio Bolsonaro during the demonstrations in his support on Sunday was published in networks.
At the time of the call, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro was in front of thousands of protesters, in Rio de Janeiro.
Jair Bolsonaro is accused of conspiring to stay in power after the 2022 elections, which won the current leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Already politically disabled until 2030, the former president could face a penalty of about 40 years in prison in a process that is expected to end in the coming weeks.
