The former Brazilian president is currently under criminal investigation in his country on suspicion of plotting a coup.Continue reading
Brazil’s Supreme Court has threatened to arrest former President Jair Bolsonaro for violating a ban on social media appearances, reported hirado.hu.
The former president, who is on trial for an attempted coup, has been on conditional release since last Friday, but is under a social media ban, a night-time curfew, and must wear an electronic tracking anklet.
Nevertheless, an interview with Bolsonaro has appeared on social media.
“The defense has 24 hours to explain Bolsonaro’s actions, otherwise the measure will be revoked and he will be taken into custody,” judge Alexandre de Moraes was quoted by several media outlets as saying. Previously, the judge explained that the restrictive measures are needed as the former president, together with his son Eduardo, allegedly carried out “hostile acts” against Brazil from the United States and attempted to obstruct the ongoing lawsuit.
He stressed that the ban on social media appearances does not only apply to Bolsonaro’s direct posts, but also to interviews published or distributed on third-party platforms. The judge’s announcement came in response to new videos on social media showing Bolsonaro wearing an electronic tracker on his ankle and sharply criticizing the measures taken against him.
In June, the Federal Electoral Court in Brazil (TSE) ruled by majority decision that Jair Bolsonaro, accused of abuse of power, will be banned from holding public office or running in elections until 2030.
This is the greatest humiliation in our country. It is a cowardly thing to do to a former president of the republic. We will resist everything and everyone. For me, only the law of God counts,”
Bolsonaro said in a video.
International leaders such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán assured the former Brazilian President of his support on X, writing:
Keep on fighting, @jairbolsonaro! Gag orders, social media bans, and politically motivated trials are tools of fear, not justice. You can put an ankle monitor on a man, but not on a nation’s will! ⚖️✊
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) July 21, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has previously stood up for Bolsonaro on several occasions and has threatened to impose a 50% import tariff on Brazilian products starting August 1, due to the case against the former president.
“Köszönöm szépen”, Prime Minister @PM_ViktorOrban. No one better than you know these people who are persecuting us are. pic.twitter.com/LvDAY0RHoQ
— Eduardo Bolsonaro (@BolsonaroSP) July 21, 2025
wrote the former president’s son, replying to Orbán on X.
The U.S. Government also recently revoked the visas of Judge Moraes, his “allies,” and immediate family members due to his actions against Bolsonaro. Current Brazilian President with a controversial international reputation, Lula da Silva called the U.S. Government’s decision “arbitrary and completely unfounded,” and described the interference in his justice system as “unacceptable.”
“I am certain that no intimidation or threat from anyone can destroy the most important mission of the Brazilian authorities and institutions, the defense of the democratic rule of law,” said Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva.
Via MTI/hirado.hu; Featured image: Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher