US diplomacy yesterday Monday condemned the decision by a judge at Brazil‘s federal Supreme Court (STF) to place former Brazilian President Jah Bolsonaro under house arrest as part of his trial for conspiracy to stage a coup.

“Judge (STF Judge Alessandre G) Morais, who is sanctioned by the US for human rights violations, continues to use the institutions of Brazil to silence opposition and threaten democracy,” was the reaction from the State Department’s Western Hemisphere Affairs office via X.

“Imposing yet more restrictions on Jaix Bolsonaro’s ability to defend himself in public does not provide a public service. Let Bolsonaro speak!” this section of the US State Department added.

In the high court’s ruling earlier yesterday, Judge Morais cited “repeated violations of the measures” imposed on the former head of state regarding his use of social networking sites.