Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered house arrest for 10 people convicted in a plot to keep Jair Bolsonaro in power, after Silvinei Vasques — a convicted ex-police chief — was extradited from Paraguay. Vasques allegedly removed his ankle monitor, crossed the border and tried to fly to El Salvador before being captured. Among those ordered to house arrest is former adviser Filipe Martins, who plans to appeal. Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years, remains hospitalized after recent surgery.
Brazil Justice Orders House Arrests For 10 Convicted In Bolsonaro Coup Plot After Ex-Police Chief Flees
The shadow of a supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro is cast on an image of him displayed outside the hospital where he was transported from prison for surgery the next day, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Saturday ordered 10 people convicted in a scheme to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power placed under house arrest, issuing the move hours after Paraguayan authorities captured and extradited another convicted participant who had fled the country.
Silvinei Vasques, the former director of Brazil’s Federal Highway Police, was returned to Brazil late Friday after Brazilian authorities say he removed an electronic ankle monitor, rented a car, crossed into Paraguay and attempted to board a flight to El Salvador using Paraguayan documents.
Those hit by Saturday’s orders had previously been subject to cautionary measures such as electronic monitoring or requirements to remain at a fixed location overnight. Among them is Filipe Martins, a former adviser to Bolsonaro, whose lawyer Jeffrey Chiquini said they will appeal.
"There is no greater injustice than condemning a person for the actions of another," Chiquini wrote on X.
Bolsonaro was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to subvert the 2022 election and remain in office; he has been serving his sentence since November. The former president has been hospitalized since Wednesday and underwent double-hernia surgery on Thursday. His wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, said Saturday that he was also being treated for persistent hiccups.
Trials, Political Fallout and International Reaction
The trials of Bolsonaro and several military and police officers accused of participating in the plot have been closely watched across Brazil, a country that returned to civilian rule in 1985 following decades of military dominance. The cases have heightened political tensions and drawn international attention.
In the United States, then-President Donald Trump initially criticized the proceedings, calling them a "witch hunt," and took steps such as imposing tariffs and financial sanctions on Justice de Moraes. In recent months the bilateral tone has shifted: an executive action eased tariffs on key Brazilian exports such as beef and coffee, and the U.S. Treasury lifted sanctions on de Moraes and his wife as trade negotiations progressed.
Manuel Rueda reported from Bogota, Colombia. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean for updates.
