Brazil's Supreme Court bans visits for Bolsonaro during house arrest

Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has imposed a 90-day ban on visits for former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. The decision, issued on Monday, specifically prohibits visits from Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who is also preparing a presidential candidacy.

The stringent measure was enacted after Justice Moraes determined that Flávio Bolsonaro had violated the terms of the former president's house arrest. The violation allegedly occurred when Flávio shared a letter from his father on social media over the weekend. In the letter, Jair Bolsonaro referred to his son as his "spokesperson" and his chosen candidate to represent him politically, which Moraes deemed a breach of the order preventing Bolsonaro from using social media, directly or indirectly, to engage in political promotion.

"I also emphasize that Flávio Bolsonaro's conduct, as an instrument for the political promotion of his presidential candidacy, with the dissemination of a video on social media and the use of expressions equivalent to an explicit request for votes, may constitute early electoral propaganda during a prohibited period, and should be investigated by the Electoral Public Prosecutor's Office," the decision stated. Jair Bolsonaro has been detained for nearly a year, initially in a federal prison and subsequently under house arrest since March, with restrictions on visits and social media activity. This latest ruling further tightens the restrictions on his communication and political influence while under judicial supervision.

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I also emphasize that Flávio Bolsonaro's conduct, as an instrument for the political promotion of his presidential candidacy, with the dissemination of a video on social media and the use of expressions equivalent to an explicit request for votes, may constitute early electoral propaganda during a prohibited period, and should be investigated by the Electoral Public Prosecutor's Office.