Brazil Supreme Court House Arrest Orders: 10 Bolsonaro Allies Convicted in Coup Plot

The walls are closing in on the architects of Brazil's 2022 coup plot. Brazil’s Supreme Court has issued house arrest orders for 10 individuals who were convicted of conspiring to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after his election defeat.

The decision, handed down by Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Saturday, follows a dramatic escape attempt by a former police commander. The court's move signals a tighter grip on those who have remained free while appealing their sentences, effectively ending their relative liberty.

A Failed Escape and Brazil Supreme Court House Arrest Orders

The enforcement of house arrest was triggered by the arrest of Silvinei Vasques, former director of the federal highway police. Vasques reportedly cut off his electronic ankle monitor and fled to Paraguay, where he was caught attempting to board a flight to El Salvador with a fake passport. He was extradited back to Brazil on Friday night and placed in pre-trial detention.

The 10 individuals now under house arrest include Filipe Martins, a former international affairs adviser to Bolsonaro. Under the new orders, they're banned from using social media, contacting other suspects, or receiving visitors. They've also been forced to surrender their passports and firearm permits to prevent further flight risks.

Bolsonaro’s Sentence and Shifting Geopolitics

While his allies face new restrictions, Jair Bolsonaro himself continues to serve a 27-year prison sentence handed down in September 2025. The 70-year-old former leader is currently hospitalized, battling persistent health issues stemming from a 2018 stabbing incident. His wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, stated he recently underwent surgery for a hernia and is now being treated for chronic hiccups.

On the international stage, the U.S. government's stance appears to be softening. Although President Donald Trump initially labeled the trial a "witch-hunt," his administration recently lifted sanctions against Justice de Moraes and lowered tariffs on Brazilian beef and coffee. This shift suggests a move toward pragmatic trade relations despite past ideological friction.