Bolsonaro faces calls for tighter surveillance as coup trial nears end

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 09:29

Brazilian prosecutors have called for increased police surveillance of Jair Bolsonaro as the Supreme Court nears a verdict in his coup trial.

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Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, center, temporarily allowed out of house arrest for medical exams, departs a hospital in Brasília, Brazil, Saturday, August 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazilian prosecutors have pressed for heightened monitoring of former president Jair Bolsonaro as the Supreme Court enters the decisive stage of his trial over an alleged attempt to subvert the 2022 election results.

Bolsonaro, who was defeated by current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stands accused of plotting to remain in power despite the loss. In a note to the Supreme Court, prosecutors asked that police "assign full-time personnel for real-time monitoring" of the ex-leader, who is already under restrictions.

The 70-year-old has been under house arrest since August 4, after Justice Alexandre de Moraes determined he had violated precautionary measures by flouting a ban on social media use. His confinement includes an electronic ankle monitor, restrictions on visitors, and the seizure of communication devices.

The request for stepped-up surveillance was supported by Lindbergh Farias, leader of Lula's Workers' Party caucus in the Chamber of Deputies, who argued Bolsonaro presented a "concrete risk of flight" from Brazil.

Federal police investigators have reported repeated violations of court-imposed restrictions.

A forensic review of a seized mobile phone revealed that Bolsonaro kept in contact with other defendants and shared roughly 300 videos promoting demonstrations in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro via WhatsApp. Officers also discovered a 33-page draft titled "request for political asylum" addressed to Argentina's President Javier Milei, dated February 2024, just days after the coup probe was opened.

Bolsonaro's lawyers dismissed the document, stating that "a draft asylum request to the Argentine president, dating from February 2024, cannot be considered evidence of escape."

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hand down a ruling between September 2 and 12. If convicted on the most serious charges, Bolsonaro could face a prison sentence of up to 40 years.