The ruling, handed down by Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Monday, cited Bolsonaro's 'systematic violations' of court-issued restrictions, such as social media and cellphone bans.
In a speech to the national soccer coaches' association, an angry Moraes alleged that Bolsonaro was still proclaiming his views by recording speeches and releasing them via other accounts, clearly displaying the ankle monitor, which he is obliged to wear under the terms of a court order.
According to the recent ruling, Bolsonaro is still required to remain within his home, and he would only be allowed guests who include his legal counsel or those with a court order. He is denied a phone and the use of a phone by others.
The puke of the U.S. State Department: "Let Bolsonaro Talk"
This week, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated that Justice Moraes in Brazil is using the country's institutions to stifle opposing views and subvert democracy.
"Placing additional limits on the ability of Jair Bolsonaro to publicly defend himself serves no public interest. Let Bolsonaro speak!" "Home-dog house arrest for Bolsonaro by order of Judge Moraes & the United States condemns Judge Moraes' order & any facilitators of sanctioned conduct will be held accountable,".
The incident further complicates already fraught relations between Washington and Brasilia, where even U.S. President Donald Trump has gotten personally involved.
Trump has called the impeachment "politically motivated" and imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports last week, in a move to make good on his threat if Bolsonaro were to be put on trial.
Political Fallout in Brazil
"Now we are officially in a dictatorship, this is no longer a free country," Bolsonaro's eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, as he criticized the court. It's a sorry chapter in Brazilian history.
Both the former president and his wife, Marisa Leticia, were formally charged in February over claims they conspired along with six others to carry out a coup aimed at preventing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office.
Prosecutors allege the scheme entailed planning to assassinate Lula, his running mate, and a Supreme Court justice — all of which Bolsonaro denies.
Washington has also directly intimidated Justice Moraes as well as other court functionaries handling the case. The U.S. recently slapped visa restrictions and sanctions on them, accusing them of human rights abuses related to the way they dealt with the case of Bolsonaro.
Brazil Accuses U.S. of Interference
President Lula lashed back at the U.S. criticism and trade sanctions, accusing Washington of interference in Brazil's legal system.
"They are intervening in our justice system, and this is unacceptable," Lula added, describing both the tariff move and US sanctions on Brazilian officials. Trump´s intervention is considered serious self-determination in Brazil by many of the rhetoric preferred by Brazilian rulers.
Though Trump defending the former leader has been met with relief by some of Bolsonaro's supporters, the case has quickly escalated into a broader diplomatic crisis — one that could reverberate across both countries' fortunes for years to come.
