Brazil Judge Orders 24/7 Surveillance of Bolsonaro Ahead of Coup Trial

Brazil's Supreme Court has declared current president Jair Bolsonaro a flight risk amid his trial for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered 24-hour discreet police surveillance at Bolsonaro's home in Brasília, where he has been under house arrest and wearing an electronic ankle tag. The decision followed findings of a drafted asylum request to Argentina and ongoing attempts by Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo to interfere with the trial. The trial, beginning in early September, could result in Bolsonaro facing over 40 years in prison. Bolsonaro denies the charges, but legal experts suggest conviction is likely given the evidence. Eduardo Bolsonaro, residing in the US, has been lobbying on his father's behalf, actions which the court views as intensifying potential flight risk.