logo
Brazil's top court threatens Bolsonaro with arrest, demands explanation for order breach

Brazil's top court threatens Bolsonaro with arrest, demands explanation for order breach

Straits Times3 days ago
Find out what's new on ST website and app.
FILE PHOTO: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attends an interview with Reuters in Brasilia, Brazil, July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Mateus Bonomi/File Photo
SAO PAULO - Brazil's Supreme Court threatened to order former President Jair Bolsonaro's arrest unless his lawyers explain within 24 hours why he breached restrictions on his use of social media, a decision showed on Monday evening.
The order summoning Bolsonaro's lawyers was issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the case in which Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a coup.
Bolsonaro's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.
Moraes had on Friday ordered Bolsonaro to wear an ankle bracelet and banned him from using social media, among other measures - which were later upheld by a court panel - over allegations he courted the interference of U.S. President Donald Trump, who tied steep new tariffs on Brazilian goods to what he called a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro.
In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Bolsonaro described Moraes' decision to prohibit his social media use as "cowardice," and said he intended to continue engaging with the press to ensure his voice was heard.
On Monday, Moraes said Bolsonaro breached the Supreme Court order when speaking with journalists earlier in the day, following a meeting with allies in the Brazilian Congress.
The moment, which marked the first time Bolsonaro publicly showed his ankle bracelet, came hours after Moraes issued a clarification of Friday's ruling, which stated that Bolsonaro's use of social media included use through third parties.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
World Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria
Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents
Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections
Multimedia 'It's very sad': She comforts loved ones turned away by inmates
Opinion Sumiko at 61: 7 facts about facial skin ageing, and skincare ingredients that actually work
Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH
Opinion With Shatec cutting back operations, what's next for Singapore's hospitality sector?
World US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent says
Moraes in his decision attached screenshots of several posts on social media, including on news outlets, that showed Bolsonaro "displaying the electronic monitoring device, delivering a speech to be displayed on digital platforms."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week called Moraes' court orders a "political witch hunt", responding on Friday with immediate visa revocations for "Moraes and his allies on the court, as well as their immediate family members."
The court's crackdown on Bolsonaro adds to evidence that Trump's tactics are backfiring in Brazil, compounding trouble for his ideological ally and rallying public support behind a defiant leftist government.
DEBATE OVER THE DECISION
Hours before summoning Bolsonaro's lawyers, Moraes had issued a ruling that raised questions about whether the right-wing leader was allowed to talk to journalists.
"Obviously, the broadcasting, re-broadcasting, or dissemination of audio, video, or transcripts of interviews on any third-party social media platform is prohibited," the judge said, in a clarification of Friday's ruling.
The measure sparked debate in Brazil regarding the ruling's range.
Bolsonaro on Monday canceled an interview with a news outlet that would have been broadcast live on social media.
"The prohibition is that he communicates on social media; it is not a prohibition against third parties speaking about him, whether to praise or criticize," said Ivar Hartmann, a law professor at Sao Paulo business school Insper.
He added that, in his view, interviews are permissible, provided they are not intended to circumvent the legal limitations, such as giving an interview to a supporter.
But Vera Chemim, a São Paulo-based constitutional lawyer, said she believed the former leader is on shaky ground, noting that interviews, while not explicitly mentioned in the court order, could still be used to justify Bolsonaro's arrest.
"Bolsonaro is now completely silenced," she said. "Any misstep could lead to a preventive arrest."
The Supreme Court declined to comment or elaborate on the specifics of that decision.
A spokesperson for Bolsonaro also declined to comment, but the former president has always denied any wrongdoing. REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Firm in India shipped explosives to Russia despite US warnings
Firm in India shipped explosives to Russia despite US warnings

Straits Times

time31 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

Firm in India shipped explosives to Russia despite US warnings

Find out what's new on ST website and app. A woman carrying her pet dogs as she flees her home, following a Russian bomb attack on an apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on July 24. WASHINGTON/KYIV/NEW DELHI - An Indian company shipped US$1.4 million (S$1.7 million) worth of an explosive compound with military uses to Russia in December, according to Indian customs data seen by Reuters, despite US threats to impose sanctions on any entity supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. One of the Russian companies listed as receiving the compound - known as HMX or octogen - is the explosives manufacturer Promsintez, which an official at Ukraine's SBU security service said has ties to the country's military. The official said that Ukraine launched a drone attack in April against a Promsintez-owned factory. According to the Pentagon's Defence Technical Information Centre and related defence research programmes, HMX is widely used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, exploding projectiles and plastic-bonded explosives for advanced military systems. The US government has identified HMX as 'critical for Russia's war effort' and has warned financial institutions against facilitating any sales of the substance to Moscow. The HMX sale to Russian firms has not been previously reported. Russian defence manufacturers have been working around the clock for the past several years to sustain President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, which intensified with Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022. India, which has recently forged closer ties with the United States in an effort to counterbalance China's growing influence, has not abandoned its longstanding military and economic ties with Moscow. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Life Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into a billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71 Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B India's trade with Russia - especially its purchases of Russian oil - has remained robust, even as Western nations have tried to cripple Russia's war economy with sanctions. US President Donald Trump threatened earlier in July to hit nations with a 100 per cent tariff if they continued purchasing Russian crude. The US Treasury Department has the authority to sanction those who sell HMX and similar substances to Russia, according to three sanctions lawyers. HMX is known as a 'high explosive', meaning it detonates rapidly and is designed for maximum destruction. Reuters has no indication that the HMX shipments violated Indian government policy. One Indian official with knowledge of the shipments said that the compound has some limited civilian applications, in addition to its better-known military uses. India's foreign ministry said in a statement: 'India has been carrying out exports of dual-use items taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports.' The US State Department did not comment on the specific shipments identified by Reuters but said it had repeatedly communicated to India that companies doing military-related business are at risk of sanctions. 'India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in full and frank dialogue, including on India's relationship with Russia,' a spokesperson said. 'We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia's military industrial base are at risk of US sanctions.' Russia's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. 'While India has not typically been among the primary jurisdictions used for circumventing sanctions, we are aware that isolated cases can occur,' Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk told Reuters. 'We can confirm that the Russian company Promsintez has appeared on our radar in the past, including in connection with cooperation involving Indian counterparts,' added Mr Vlasiuk, President Volodymyr Zelensky's top sanctions official. Washington woos New Delhi Reuters identified two HMX shipments sent in December by Indian firm Ideal Detonators Private Limited, both of which were unloaded in St Petersburg, according to the Indian customs data. An Indian government official with direct knowledge of the shipments confirmed them. One shipment, worth US$405,200, was purchased by a Russian company called High Technology Initiation Systems, the data show. The other shipment, worth more than US$1 million was purchased by Promsintez. Both purchasers are based in Samara Oblast, near the border of Kazakhstan in southern Russia, according to the data. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Andrei Belousov meeting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Moscow, in December 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS Ideal Detonators Private Limited, based in the Indian state of Telangana, did not respond to a request for comment. Promsintez and High Technology Initiation Systems also did not respond to requests for comment. While several Indian entities were sanctioned during the administration of former US president Joe Biden for supporting Russia's war effort, sanctions were applied sparingly due to geopolitical considerations, according to two US officials who worked on sanctions under Mr Biden. Under Mr Trump, Russia-related sanctions work has slowed to a trickle, and it is not clear if the United States will take further action against Indian companies doing business with Russia's defence industry. Washington has long sought closer relations with India to pull the South Asian country away from China. Mr Jason Prince, a partner at Washington-based law firm Akin, said the US government often prefers to communicate its concerns privately to allies and only take punitive actions as a last resort. REUTERS

IMF plans August mission to Senegal on hidden debt, new programme
IMF plans August mission to Senegal on hidden debt, new programme

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

IMF plans August mission to Senegal on hidden debt, new programme

Find out what's new on ST website and app. A street food vendor pushes her cart near Kermel Market in downtown Dakar, Senegal, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo LONDON/NEW YORK - The International Monetary Fund plans a mission to Senegal in August to address hidden debt and start talks on the "contours" of a new loan programme, it said on Thursday. Senegal is grappling with billions in debts hidden by the previous administration, which have prompted the IMF to freeze its loan programme. "The purpose of the mission is going to be to discuss the steps needed to bring the misreporting case to our executive board," IMF communications director Julie Kozack said in a media briefing in Washington. "The team will also use the opportunity to initiate discussions on the contours of a new IMF-supported program for Senegal." Separately, another Fund spokesperson said via email that it needs more data before it can firm up its assessment on Senegal's debt situation and also needs an agreement on key remedial measures. The IMF's executive board must either approve a misreporting waiver - many investors' base case - or order Senegal to pay back previous programme disbursements. With a waiver, Senegal could negotiate a new programme. "Once we have reached agreement on the key corrective measures, the IMF Board will be in a position to consider the Senegal misreporting case and take a decision," a spokesperson for the Fund said in response to emailed questions from Reuters. An agreement on these measures could be reached "hopefully within the coming weeks," that spokesperson added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Life Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71: US media Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B Bonds jumped on the news. The euro-denominated 2028 bond gained more than 3 cents to bid at 82.88 cents on the euro, and the 2033 dollar-denominated bond gained nearly 3 cents to bid at 70.64 cents on the dollar. DEBT ICEBERG The IMF estimates - based on latest data from Senegalese authorities - that hidden debt stood at $11.3 billion by end-2023, the spokesperson added. This included a portion for state-owned enterprises of about 7.4% of GDP. There have been a range of estimates. S&P pegged the total hidden debt discovered since October 2024 at roughly $13 billion. The size of the hidden debt has escalated since September 2024, when the then newly elected government said an audit of government finances first flagged the issue. The scale dwarfs Mozambique's infamous "tuna bond" scandal -the most recent hidden debt case, which involved roughly $3 billion. The spokesperson said that the IMF, which has come under fire for not catching the off-the-books lending, will present information to the board on how it went undetected. "The IMF is conducting an internal assessment and diagnostic as part of the misreporting process," the spokesperson added. REUTERS

Columbia ends uncertainty with Trump deal, head says
Columbia ends uncertainty with Trump deal, head says

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Columbia ends uncertainty with Trump deal, head says

Columbia University's acting president Claire Shipman speaks during Columbia University's commencement ceremony in New York, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Seth Wenig/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Columbia University's agreement to pay over $200 million to the U.S. government in a settlement with President Donald Trump's administration to resolve federal probes and restore most of its suspended federal funding ends a period of "institutional uncertainty," the university's acting president said. Trump has targeted several universities since returning to office in January over the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled college campuses last year. "The resolution will allow the university to move forward with clarity and focus — returning our full attention to the work of teaching, discovery, and public service," Acting President Claire Shipman said in a statement, adding that under the settlement the university did not admit to violating civil rights laws. In March, the Trump administration said it was penalizing Columbia over how it handled last year's protests by canceling $400 million in federal funding. It contended that Columbia's response to alleged antisemitism and harassment of Jewish and Israeli members of the university community was insufficient. Columbia said it also agreed to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $21 million and that its deal with the Trump administration preserved its "autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making." Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Columbia agreed "to discipline student offenders for severe disruptions of campus operations, make structural changes to their Faculty Senate, bring viewpoint diversity to their Middle Eastern studies programs, eliminate race preferences from their hiring and admissions practices, and end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs." The agreement calls on Columbia to appoint an administrator to oversee the three-year accord and spells out that a provost will review hiring and other practices in its Middle East and other programs, and a student liaison to help address antisemitism issues. Shipman said the agreement restored access to $1.3 billion in federal funding and reinstated $400 million in frozen grants. Had Columbia fought the Trump administration in court it could have won short-term litigation victories but would have lost federal funding and faced the potential revocation of the visa status of thousands of international students, she said. After the government canceled funding, the school acquiesced in March to a series of demands that included scrutiny of departments offering courses on the Middle East and other concessions that were widely condemned by U.S. academics. The agreement announced Wednesday contained no provisions that "shall be construed as giving the United States authority to dictate faculty hiring, university hiring, admissions decisions, or the content of academic speech,' Shipman said. Last week, Columbia adopted a definition of antisemitism that equates it with opposition to Zionism. Critics argue anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic. Campus protesters demanded an end to U.S. support for Israel's military assault on Gaza after a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants, and a commitment that the university will cease investing any of its $14.8 billion endowment in weapons makers and companies that support Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. The government has labeled pro-Palestinian protesters as antisemitic. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government has wrongly conflated their criticism of Israel's actions with antisemitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. "We are not denying the very serious and painful challenges our institution has faced with antisemitism," Shipman said. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store