Bolsonaro's lawyers said in a statement they would appeal the decision, arguing the former president had not violated any court order.
Brazil's Supreme Court put former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest on Monday ahead of his trial for an alleged coup plot, underscoring the court's resolve despite escalating tariffs and sanctions from U.S.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the
target of U.S. Treasury sanctions last week, issued the arrest order against Bolsonaro. His decision cited a failure to comply with
restraining orders he had imposed on Bolsonaro for allegedly courting Trump's interference in the case.
It did not provide details, though Trump has said the U.S. could still impose even higher tariffs on Brazilian imports.
The Monday order from Moraes also banned Bolsonaro from using a cell phone or receiving visits, except for his lawyers and people authorized by the court.
A press representative for Bolsonaro confirmed he was placed under house arrest on Monday evening at his Brasilia residence by police who seized his cell phone.
In an interview with Reuters last month, Bolsonaro called Moraes a "dictator" and said the restraining orders against him were acts of "cowardice."
Some Bolsonaro allies have worried that Trump's tactics
may be backfiring in Brazil, compounding trouble for Bolsonaro and rallying public support behind Lula's leftist government.
The U.S. State Department condemned the house arrest order, saying Moraes was using Brazilian institutions to silence opposition and threaten democracy, adding the U.S. would "hold accountable all those aiding and abetting sanctioned conduct."
