Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro hit with new legal restrictions

According to the Spanish-language service of France 24, other restrictions imposed on Bolsonaro by the Supreme Court include a ban on communicating with individuals under investigation, including his sons Carlos and Eduardo, as well as ambassadors and diplomats. The far-right politician will also be under house arrest from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on weekends.

In response to the court’s decision, Bolsonaro described the measures as the “ultimate humiliation,” claiming that nothing has put or will put him in a position to plot a coup. He further stated that the legal process amounted to “persecution” and called the accusations “exaggerated suspicions.”

Asked by reporters whether he had considered leaving the country, Bolsonaro replied that such a thought had “never” been part of his plans.

Local media reported that Bolsonaro, a former army officer, has been transferred to the Brazilian Federal Police for the installation of the electronic monitor.

On Friday morning, federal police raided Bolsonaro’s home in Brasília and seized approximately $14,000 in cash. Bolsonaro told reporters on Friday: “This is money that I have declared or will declare.”

The former president and seven of his closest allies are under investigation by the Supreme Court over their alleged involvement in the 2022 coup attempt against the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro’s legal team reacted strongly to the court’s measures, issuing a statement saying that his defense was “shocked and outraged” by the imposition of such harsh restrictions, despite Bolsonaro’s consistent compliance with all judicial rulings up to this point.