Brazil Supreme Court Considers Arrest for Bolsonaro Social Media Violations

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro faces escalating legal challenges from the Supreme Court, which accuses him of violating a social media ban imposed to curb his alleged attempts to undermine Brazil's democracy. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro off major social media platforms and barred him from contacting foreign officials, citing threats to the constitutional order linked to Bolsonaro and his allies' alleged plots to overturn the 2022 election results. Despite the restrictions, videos and speeches by Bolsonaro were circulated widely by his sons and supporters, prompting the court to demand explanations from Bolsonaro’s legal team within 24 hours under threat of arrest. The court's interpretation extends the ban to sharing content through third parties, raising debate over whether it should include interviews with the press. Bolsonaro's supporters argue these measures infringe on free speech and political rights, while many Brazilians and business leaders warn that pardoning those involved in anti-democratic actions could destabilize democracy further. The situation remains highly polarized, with mass protests both in favor of Bolsonaro and in support of judicial accountability ongoing across Brazil.