Police raid home and party headquarters of former Brazilian President Bolsonaro

Operations against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continue. The Brazilian Supreme Court has sent police to raid the home and party headquarters of Bolsonaro, who is being tried for allegedly attempting a coup against current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and is accused of collaborating with the U.S. to impose sanctions on Brazil.

According to a decision published by the Supreme Court today, it was ruled that an electronic ankle monitor be placed on Bolsonaro, who is being tried for the alleged coup attempt, due to the risk of him fleeing the country. The former president has been banned from using social media, going out at night, speaking with foreign officials, and approaching embassies. The Brazilian Supreme Court accused Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo of attempting to impose customs duties on the government in coordination with the U.S.

"FLIGHT RISK CLAIMS ARE EXAGGERATED"

Speaking in front of the police station following the court's decision, Bolsonaro described the order to wear an electronic ankle monitor as "the greatest of humiliations," stating, "I never thought about leaving Brazil. These flight risk claims are exaggerated. Damn it, I am a former president of this nation. I am 70 years old." Jair Bolsonaro stated that approximately 14 thousand US dollars were seized by the police, noting that this money was kept for personal use and that he has receipts and documents proving this.

TRUMP HAD ANNOUNCED A 50 PERCENT TARIFF

In a letter sent to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, U.S. President Donald Trump stated, "Due to Brazil's insidious attacks on free elections and fundamental rights of free speech, we will impose a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian products sent to the U.S." Trump stated that the measure would take effect on August 1, and claimed that Lula had launched a "witch hunt" against Brazil's right-wing former president, Bolsonaro, which "must end immediately."

BOLSONARO SUPPORTERS HAD RAIDED THE CONGRESS BUILDING

In the 2022 presidential election in Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received 50.9 percent of the vote, while Jair Bolsonaro received 49.1 percent. Bolsonaro supporters, who held days of highway blockades claiming there was fraud in the elections, had called on the armed forces to intervene against Lula taking office. One week after Lula took office, on January 8, 2023, Bolsonaro supporters breached police barriers and raided and damaged the National Congress Building, the Federal Supreme Court General Assembly, and the Planalto Palace. Bolsonaro and dozens of others accused of inciting the events were charged with planning a coup attempt.