Bolsonaro must explain non-compliance and risks arrest

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) gave former President Jair Bolsonaro's defense 24 hours to explain the failure to comply with the precautionary measure that prohibits him from using social media , directly or indirectly, under penalty of imprisonment.

“Jair Messias Bolsonaro’s duly appointed lawyers are hereby summoned to, within 24 hours, provide clarification on the failure to comply with the precautionary measures imposed, under penalty of immediate arrest of the defendant,” reads the Monday decision by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, cited by Agência Brasil.

This decision comes after the judge clarified that former President Jair Bolsonaro cannot give interviews that are rebroadcast on social media "under penalty of revocation of alternative measures and ordering of arrest" and after Bolsonaro, minutes later, went to the Chamber of Deputies to speak to supporters and the videos were shared on social media.

???????? URGENT: Bolsonaro shows the electronic ankle bracelet and speaks to the press after Alexandre de Moraes' decision to prohibit him from giving interviews linked to social media.

“I didn’t steal from public coffers, I didn’t misappropriate public resources, I didn’t kill, and I didn’t traffic… pic.twitter.com/Cc09Al6FkJ

— Central Right ???????? (@CentralDireitaB) July 21, 2025

"I didn't steal from the public coffers, I didn't embezzle public funds, I didn't kill anyone, I didn't traffic anyone. This is a symbol of the utmost humiliation in our country," Bolsonaro said, showing his electronic bracelet .

Earlier, Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is responsible for the case in which Bolsonaro is accused of crimes such as attempted coup d'état and violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, clarified that "the precautionary measure also includes transmissions, retransmissions or broadcasting of audio, videos or transcripts of interviews on any social media platform on third-party accounts."

➡️ Find out who will monitor Bolsonaro's ankle bracelet in real time

Jair Bolsonaro (PL) placed an electronic ankle bracelet last Friday (18/7), at the headquarters of the DF Penitentiary Administration Secretariat

Read: https://t.co/aT2KkpGsRh pic.twitter.com/wEheuL16HC

— Metrópoles (@Metropoles) July 21, 2025

According to the STF note, signed by Alexandre de Moraes, “ the former president cannot use means to circumvent the restriction , under penalty of revocation of the alternative measures and decree of arrest”.

The restrictions were adopted on Friday, following an investigation “that investigates attempted obstruction of justice, coercion during the process and an attack on sovereignty allegedly committed by Bolsonaro,” it reads.

Bolsonaro was supposed to give an interview this Tuesday to the Metrópoles website, which would have been broadcast live on YouTube, but it ended up being canceled due to "fear of being arrested," according to the media outlet itself.

Alexandre de Moraes decreed on Friday new precautionary measures against the former head of state (2019 — 2022), including the use of an electronic bracelet, the obligation to remain at home between 7:00 pm and 6:00 am from Monday to Friday and full-time on weekends and holidays, and also not being able to maintain contact with ambassadors and foreign authorities.

The judge justified his decision by arguing that there was evidence of crimes of “coercion, obstruction” of justice and “attack on national sovereignty” , according to a Federal Police report.

Bolsonaro and his son and congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been in the United States for five months, sought to "induce, instigate and assist" the Donald Trump administration "in carrying out hostile acts against Brazil," with the aim of "shelving" the coup process, according to the investigation.

Bolsonaro faces a criminal trial in the Supreme Federal Court on charges of "leading" a coup plot to remain in power and prevent his successor, Lula da Silva, from taking office after losing the 2022 election.

This case, in which he faces a possible 40-year prison sentence, was the main reason that led the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to announce an additional 50% tariff on Brazilian imports starting August 1st.

The Republican leader claimed that Bolsonaro is the victim of a "witch hunt" and demanded that the trial "end immediately."