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A Brazilian court has ordered 24/7 police surveillance of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s residence over concerns that he may attempt to flee ahead of his upcoming trial.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Bolsonaro has been charged with leading a coordinated attempt to overturn the results of Brazil’s 2022 presidential election, which he lost to left-wing candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors accuse him of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy involving top aides and military officials to delegitimize the electoral process and cling to power unlawfully. Central to the case are claims that Bolsonaro incited unrest, spread “misinformation” about the integrity of Brazil’s voting system, and supported efforts to disrupt the democratic transition. Bolsonaro, for his part, denies all wrongdoing, insisting the case is politically motivated and aimed at blocking his return to power in 2026. He claims to be the victim of persecution by the judiciary working with Lula’s administration.

What’s going on now: Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered 24/7 police surveillance of Bolsonaro’s home in Brasília, citing an elevated flight risk just days before the start of his trial on September 2. The court order requires officers to be stationed outside his home (without entering the premises or disturbing the neighborhood) to ensure Bolsonaro complies with existing restrictions. This move follows a request from Brazil’s prosecutor general, who flagged recent developments suggesting Bolsonaro may try to flee the country to avoid prosecution.

Authorities point specifically to a draft letter discovered on Bolsonaro’s phone requesting political asylum in Argentina, dated February 2024, as a major red flag. Additionally, a left-wing congressman told police he had credible information that Bolsonaro was considering a last-minute move to the nearby US embassy. Justice Moraes also cited Bolsonaro’s ongoing disregard for earlier court orders (including bans on social media activity and political messaging) as further justification for increasing surveillance.

This comes as Bolsonaro is already under house arrest and has been required to wear an electronic ankle monitor since mid-July. These restrictions were initially imposed after he was accused of interfering with judicial proceedings and violating terms meant to limit his public influence. The situation has escalated in recent weeks due to mounting concerns over his communication with allies abroad and his son Eduardo Bolsonaro’s active campaign in the United States to discredit the trial.

That campaign has directly influenced US policy under President Trump’s administration, which has openly criticized the Brazilian judiciary. Trump has framed Bolsonaro’s prosecution as a “witch hunt” and responded by slapping 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports. The US has also sanctioned key Brazilian figures connected to the case, including Justice Moraes.