Brazil Supreme Court Justice Keeps Former President Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

(Patria) - Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has decided to keep former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest, according to a court document seen by Reuters.

Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August for violating a restraining order related to his alleged attempts to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to interfere in an investigation in which he is accused of plotting a coup to remain in power after his 2022 election defeat.

The former president was later convicted in a separate coup-plotting case and sentenced last month to 27 years and three months in prison.

Trump called the case a "witch hunt" and retaliated by imposing high tariffs on Brazilian exports, sanctioning the judge who oversaw the case against Bolsonaro, and revoking visas for several Brazilian officials.

In the weeks following Bolsonaro's conviction, his legal team formally requested his release from house arrest, arguing that he was not charged in the investigation that led to his detention. Justice Moraes rejected the defense's arguments, ruling that house arrest is "necessary and appropriate" because Bolsonaro's continued freedom poses risks, as evidenced by his conviction and repeated violations of precautionary measures.

"The guarantee of public order and the need to ensure the full application of criminal law justify the maintenance of house arrest and other precautionary measures," Moraes said.