Bolsonaro placed under house arrest in Brazil

Brazilian authorities placed former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is standing trial on charges of plotting a coup, under house arrest yesterday, in a move that could escalate tensions with the administration of president Donald Trump.

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Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the arrest order, saying in his decision that the right-wing firebrand did not comply with judicial restraining orders imposed on him last month.

Mr Bolsonaro is facing charges that he conspired with dozens of his allies to overturn his 2022 electoral loss to leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Mr Moraes also banned Mr Bolsonaro from receiving visits, with exceptions for lawyers and people authorised by the court, and use of a cell phone either directly or through third parties. A press representative for Mr Bolsonaro confirmed that he was placed under house arrest late afternoon yesterday and that a cell phone had been seized.