Brazil's Supreme Court Spares Bolsonaro from Arrest Despite Breach
Brazil's Supreme Court ruled not to arrest former President Jair Bolsonaro for breaching restrictions but cautioned potential imprisonment for future violations. Justice Alexandre de Moraes upheld restraining orders and clarified Bolsonaro can give interviews. Ankle bracelet and social media ban remain due to alleged coup plotting. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing.
In a significant decision, Brazil's Supreme Court refrained from ordering the arrest of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro after he breached court-imposed restrictions. Justice Alexandre de Moraes highlighted the breach as "isolated," stressing that while the current offense doesn't mandate arrest, further violations could alter the situation.
The allegations against Bolsonaro stem from his purported plotting of a coup, prompting Justice Moraes to enact restraining orders. These include wearing an ankle monitor and abstaining from social media to avoid influencing international political allies negatively. Notably, Bolsonaro communicates freely with the press, claiming his media engagement as essential despite the ban.
Escalating tensions, the court indicated that Bolsonaro's restrictions breach involved indirect social media use via his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, currently in the U.S. Despite denying wrongdoing, Bolsonaro's team will review the court's Thursday decision to gauge permissible communications under Moraes' ruling. Bolsonaro labeled the imposed constraints as "cowardice."
(With inputs from agencies.)
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