Defense says that Bolsonaro did not break up and denies “criminal act”

The defense of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) said on Monday (4) that he did not breach any precautionary measure and that speech transmitted during a demonstration in Copacabana “cannot be interpreted as a criminal act.”

The statement occurs after Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), to decree Bolsonaro’s house arrest for alleged violation of the restrictions imposed in July.

In the decision, Moraes pointed out that the former president used social networks of third parties-including accounts of his parliamentary children-to publicize messages with “incentive content and instigation to STF attacks” and support for foreign intervention in the Brazilian judiciary.

One of these messages was published on Sunday (3) by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), with a video in which his father greets supporters. The publication was later erased.

For Bolsonaro lawyers, the measure is disproportionate.

“The phrase ‘Good afternoon, Copacabana. Good afternoon, my Brazil. A hug to all. It is for our freedom. We are together’ does not constitute a breach of a court order or criminal act,” said defenders Celso Vilardi, Paulo Amador da Cunha Bueno and Daniel Tesser.

They said they were surprised by the decision and reported that they will appeal.

In addition to house arrest, Moraes determined the seizure of cell phones and restricted visits to the former president, allowing only the entry of family and lawyers.

The Federal Police searched Bolsonaro’s residence and collected a cell phone.

The defense maintains that Bolsonaro strictly followed the limitations imposed. “It is worth remembering that in the last decision expressly stated that he was not prohibited from giving interviews or speeches at public events,” said the lawyers.

However, for Moraes, the strategy of using third parties to publicize messages violates the spirit of the previous decision and characterizes deliberate attempt to circumvent justice.