Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has threatened former President Jair Bolsonaro with immediate imprisonment. Moraes accuses Bolsonaro of violating a ban on appearing in audio, video, or interviews distributed on social media.
Alleged Violation and Current Legal Troubles
According to Moraes, Bolsonaro must provide an explanation within 24 hours after a video featuring him was published by his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, on Monday. The former president is currently on trial under accusations of having conspired to impede current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office in 2023, charges which Bolsonaro denies.
Moraes Imposed Strict Restrictive Measures
Justice Moraes, who is leading investigations into alleged anti-democratic acts by Bolsonaro and his allies, had imposed a series of restrictive measures on Bolsonaro last Friday. These include:
- A nighttime and weekend curfew.
- 24-hour surveillance to prevent escape.
- A ban on contacting foreign governments and embassies in Brazil.
- The placement of an electronic ankle bracelet.
- A prohibition on communicating with his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is currently lobbying for him in the United States.
Despite these measures, Bolsonaro has stated that he has never considered leaving Brazil and has referred to Justice Moraes as a “dictator.”
