RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro is now mandated by the Supreme Court to wear an electronic ankle monitor while being tried for allegedly orchestrating a coup plot to maintain his presidency following his loss in the 2022 elections. The case has gained renewed visibility, particularly after former U.S. President Donald Trump associated a significant tariff on Brazilian imports with Bolsonaro's legal battles, branding them as part of a "witch hunt."
The Supreme Court's decision comes amid assessments from prosecutors and Federal Police that Bolsonaro poses a flight risk. Citing various social media posts, they accused Bolsonaro of colluding with his son Eduardo to provoke U.S. interference in the trial and inciting sanctions against Brazilian officials. In response to these developments, the U.S. State Department announced visa restrictions for Brazilian judicial officials, prompting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to denounce what he described as an unacceptable incursion into Brazil's judicial independence.
The charges levied against Bolsonaro are severe and include leading an armed criminal organization, conspiring to execute a coup, attempting to violently abolish Brazil’s democratic framework, and other significant offenses related to damaging government heritage sites. According to a federal police investigation, Bolsonaro was at the apex of a criminal network that has been active since at least 2021 and attempted to negate the electoral results after his defeat.
Allegations within the prosecution's case detail a plot involving plans to assassinate Lula and a Supreme Court justice, asserting that the Jan. 8 riots incited by Bolsonaro's supporters were attempts to force military interventions to depose the newly elected president. Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet has articulated that Bolsonaro's actions reflected more than just passive resistance to his defeat but constituted a deliberate effort to cultivate an environment conducive to violence and an eventual coup. The unsealed court order indicates Bolsonaro and his son may face additional charges, such as coercion during legal proceedings and obstruction of justice efforts related to a criminal organization.
In the face of these daunting allegations, Bolsonaro has staunchly denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he is the victim of a politically motivated persecution akin to a "witch hunt." Despite being forbidden from utilizing social media, he expressed on X that those who oppose the political system are being punished and silenced. Referring to the court's restrictions as a "supreme humiliation," he emphasized that he never contemplated leaving Brazil despite the imposed measures that suggest otherwise.
As the case progresses, the prosecution has formally sought a guilty verdict, with the defense expected to present its arguments in the coming weeks. The panel of Supreme Court justices that initiated these proceedings will ultimately decide Bolsonaro's fate, with an expected ruling by the year's end. Should he be found guilty of orchestrating a coup, Bolsonaro faces a possible prison sentence of up to 12 years. When compounded with other potential convictions, the total time could extend to several decades.
Legal expert Antonio José Teixeira Martins indicated that Bolsonaro could face imprisonment even before a verdict if the current actions do not adequately ensure public order and mitigate the risk of escape. Compounding his legal troubles, Brazil's top electoral court has already precluded Bolsonaro from participating in elections until 2030 due to prior abuse of power while in office and unfounded allegations against Brazil's electronic voting system.
