“`html
A Justice of Brazil’s Supreme Court has issued a warning that former President Jair Bolsonaro could face detention.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes accused Bolsonaro of violating a prohibition that prevents him from appearing in audio, video, or interviews circulated on social media platforms.
Justice Moraes stated that the former president could face “immediate imprisonment” unless his legal team provides a satisfactory explanation within 24 hours regarding his appearance in a video shared by Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, on Monday.
Bolsonaro is currently on trial for allegedly plotting a coup to obstruct President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming office in 2023, an allegation he denies.
Moraes has been at the forefront of the investigation into accusations that Bolsonaro and his allies engaged in “antidemocratic acts.”
Previously, Justice Moraes imposed several restrictions on Bolsonaro on Friday, including a night-time and weekend curfew, along with 24-hour surveillance, to prevent him from leaving the country while the trial is underway.
Bolsonaro has also been instructed to avoid contact with foreign governments and their embassies in Brazil.
Moreover, the former president is required to wear an electronic ankle tag and is prohibited from communicating with Eduardo, who has been lobbying on his father’s behalf in the United States.
Bolsonaro maintains that he has never considered leaving Brazil and has referred to Justice Moraes as a “dictator.”
These measures were enacted by Moraes following a request from the federal police and with the support of Brazil’s Attorney-General’s Office.
Police had earlier accused Bolsonaro and his son of attempting to impede the trial against the former president and of infringing upon Brazil’s sovereignty by encouraging the U.S. government to interfere in the proceedings.
On Monday, Moraes elaborated on the restrictions, clarifying that Bolsonaro was not only barred from appearing in videos and audio he personally shared on social media, but also from appearing in content shared or published by third parties.
Shortly thereafter, Bolsonaro spoke to journalists as he departed Congress, where he had met with opposition lawmakers.
He displayed his electronic ankle tag, describing it as “a symbol of the utmost humiliation.”
Footage of this interaction was shared on social media by Eduardo Bolsonaro and his father’s supporters, an action Moraes deems a violation of the imposed restrictions.
The trial of Jair Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from January 2019 to December 2022, is being closely monitored by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has condemned it as a “witch hunt.”
The two leaders are longtime allies, and earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, effective August 1.
In his communication to the current Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump cited Brazil’s treatment of Bolsonaro as justification for the tariff increase.
Tensions between the two governments escalated further on Friday, when, in response to the restrictions placed on Bolsonaro, the Trump administration revoked the U.S. visa of Moraes and other Supreme Court justices.
President Lula characterized it as an “arbitrary and completely baseless measure” and denounced “the interference of one country in another’s justice system.”
The US says the UN’s culture and education body is promoting “divisive social and cultural causes” – a claim the agency denies.
About 230,000 pages of records are unsealed, despite opposition from some of the King family.
The move was previewed by President Donald Trump last week in a social media post – “It’s just better!”.
Annie Farmer believes the case has been politicised and says the recent wave of publicity has left her feeling “used” and exhausted.
Venezuela is investigating claims of human rights abuses against 250 people detained in notorious prison.
“`