BRASILIA (Reuters) -Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that he did not violate a court-ordered social media ban, after the top judge accused him of breaching the order and demanded an explanation from his lawyers.
In a document sent to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing an investigation into allegations that Bolsonaro plotted a coup, Bolsonaro’s lawyers asked the court to clarify the exact scope of the social media ban.
Moraes ordered the ban on Friday, along with mandating he wear an ankle bracelet, among other measures, alleging he courted the interference of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has tied steep new tariffs on Brazilian goods to what he called a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro.
On Monday, Moraes accused Bolsonaro of violating the order by giving an interview to journalists, pointing to clips the news outlets later posted on their social media accounts.
The judge gave Bolsonaro’s legal team 24 hours to explain the media appearance, warning that failure to comply could lead to an arrest warrant.
Earlier on Monday, Moraes had issued a clarification of Friday’s ruling, which stated that Bolsonaro’s use of social media included use through third parties. The clarification generated debate among legal experts regarding if it would include interviews to news outlets.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers on Tuesday argued that media outlets sharing his remarks on social media was an “uncontrollable” development beyond their client’s control. They have asked the justice to clarify the exact scope of the order and whether it prohibits giving interviews to the press.
The lawyers added that Bolsonaro will make no further public remarks until the court provides that clarification.
(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Writing by Andre Romani; Editing by Sarah Morland and Brendan O’Boyle)
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