Brazil’s Top Court Orders Increased Security for Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered an increase in security around the residence of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who remains under house arrest ahead of his trial on charges related to an alleged attempt to overturn the 2022 election results.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the directive on Monday, instructing law enforcement to maintain a full-time presence outside Bolsonaro’s home. The move is intended to ensure compliance with court-imposed restrictions, including a ban on political communication and social media use.

Bolsonaro, who was detained earlier this month, was found to have violated these conditions, prompting the court to place him under house arrest.

Last week, federal police revealed the discovery of a draft letter on Bolsonaro’s phone requesting asylum in Argentina. Investigators say the document was last modified in 2024. However, Bolsonaro’s legal team dismissed the file as outdated and argued it does not prove he intended to flee the country.

The former president is scheduled to stand trial on September 2. He faces charges of conspiring to overturn the election victory of his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison.

The case has drawn international attention, especially from the United States, where President Donald Trump has publicly defended Bolsonaro, calling the trial a “witch-hunt.” Last month, Trump imposed steep tariffs on Brazilian goods and sanctioned Justice Moraes, accusing him of overseeing politically motivated prosecutions and human rights violations.