Brazil’s Supreme Court authorized a full-time police surveillance operation at the residence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest and monitored by an electronic ankle bracelet.
The order, issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Tuesday (26), allows the Federal District’s penal police to monitor Bolsonaro’s home with continuous patrols. The decision follows a formal request from federal lawmaker Lindbergh Farias and a favorable opinion from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (PGR).
The move comes just days before Bolsonaro is set to face trial on charges related to an attempted coup following his 2022 electoral defeat. The Supreme Court trial is scheduled to begin on September 2.
Preventing escape and enforcing restrictions
While the federal prosecutors did not explicitly warn of an escape plan, they described the increased surveillance as a “sound preventive measure” given the circumstances.
Moraes emphasized that the monitoring must avoid undue exposure or disruption. Officers may choose whether or not to wear uniforms or carry firearms. Surveillance must respect the domestic privacy of the household and avoid disturbing the neighborhood.
The judge wrote that the measure aims to ensure that Bolsonaro continues to comply with existing restrictions, such as the prohibition on approaching foreign embassies, where he might request political asylum.
Asylum request to Argentina
The court order also referenced a draft asylum request to Argentina, discovered in Bolsonaro’s phone by investigators during a separate probe. The document had been saved on the former president’s device since early 2024 and surfaced amid investigations into his alleged involvement in a scheme to lobby the United States to impose economic sanctions on Brazil.
In that case, Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to pressure U.S. lawmakers to raise tariffs on Brazilian exports in retaliation against Brazil’s judiciary—a move seen as an effort to secure immunity for himself.
Trial for coup plot begins in September
The order for full-time surveillance coincides with the approaching trial in the AP 2.668/DF case, in which Bolsonaro is accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in the aftermath of his defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Federal Police have warned of a renewed risk of flight. According to Moraes, this justifies the increased monitoring measures without constituting an aggravation of the defendant’s legal situation.
“The materials submitted in the [tariff case] and the notice from the director of the Federal Police pointing to renewed escape risk demonstrate that the requested surveillance measures are absolutely necessary and appropriate,” Moraes wrote.
