Premier's staff do an about-face after arrest threat
Empty chairs at an otherwise routine inquiry into the passage of religious hate laws led upper house MPs to call for the arrest of five staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley.
While the premier defended his staff's position over the weekend, chief-of-staff James Cullen and his four colleagues did an about-face on Wednesday.
That followed legal advice to upper house president Ben Franklin, confirming he could seek the staffers' arrest.
"I was intending to advise the house that I would be certifying to a judge of the Supreme Court ... that the witnesses have failed to appear before the committee without a just and reasonable excuse," Mr Franklin told the parliament on Wednesday morning.
"I have subsequently been advised that the five witnesses have reconsidered their position and have agreed to attend a hearing to provide evidence voluntarily."
Mr Franklin sought legal advice from eminent barrister Bret Walker SC, which affirmed the president was within his rights to seek arrest warrants for the staffers failing to appear.
The premier and minister, as members of parliament's lower house, cannot be compelled to appear.
Mr Cullen, his two deputies and two senior staff in Ms Catley's office are due to appear at a new hearing on Friday morning.
The inquiry was formed to probe the passage of protest and speech laws rushed through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January.
Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job".
Committee member Sue Higginson said the inquiry expected new evidence to come to light as a result of the staffers' appearance.
"People's evidence brings a different perspective which helps to ascertain a fuller picture of what did happen and who knew what at what point in time," she told AAP.
Mr Minns was scathing of the committee's actions in pursuing the appearance of his staff on Wednesday morning.
His office also pointed to numerous statements by the committee chair Rod Roberts, calling for stronger hate crime laws ahead of their passage in February.
"We've really got to scrutinise whether this is the right chamber for this," Mr Minns said.
"There's just gross hypocrisy and political bias."
The NSW premier's right-hand man will be spared arrest after he and fellow staffers gave in to demands to face up to a hate crimes inquiry centred on an explosive-laden caravan.
Empty chairs at an otherwise routine inquiry into the passage of religious hate laws led upper house MPs to call for the arrest of five staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley.
While the premier defended his staff's position over the weekend, chief-of-staff James Cullen and his four colleagues did an about-face on Wednesday.
That followed legal advice to upper house president Ben Franklin, confirming he could seek the staffers' arrest.
"I was intending to advise the house that I would be certifying to a judge of the Supreme Court ... that the witnesses have failed to appear before the committee without a just and reasonable excuse," Mr Franklin told the parliament on Wednesday morning.
"I have subsequently been advised that the five witnesses have reconsidered their position and have agreed to attend a hearing to provide evidence voluntarily."
Mr Franklin sought legal advice from eminent barrister Bret Walker SC, which affirmed the president was within his rights to seek arrest warrants for the staffers failing to appear.
The premier and minister, as members of parliament's lower house, cannot be compelled to appear.
Mr Cullen, his two deputies and two senior staff in Ms Catley's office are due to appear at a new hearing on Friday morning.
The inquiry was formed to probe the passage of protest and speech laws rushed through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January.
Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job".
Committee member Sue Higginson said the inquiry expected new evidence to come to light as a result of the staffers' appearance.
"People's evidence brings a different perspective which helps to ascertain a fuller picture of what did happen and who knew what at what point in time," she told AAP.
Mr Minns was scathing of the committee's actions in pursuing the appearance of his staff on Wednesday morning.
His office also pointed to numerous statements by the committee chair Rod Roberts, calling for stronger hate crime laws ahead of their passage in February.
"We've really got to scrutinise whether this is the right chamber for this," Mr Minns said.
"There's just gross hypocrisy and political bias."
The NSW premier's right-hand man will be spared arrest after he and fellow staffers gave in to demands to face up to a hate crimes inquiry centred on an explosive-laden caravan.
Empty chairs at an otherwise routine inquiry into the passage of religious hate laws led upper house MPs to call for the arrest of five staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley.
While the premier defended his staff's position over the weekend, chief-of-staff James Cullen and his four colleagues did an about-face on Wednesday.
That followed legal advice to upper house president Ben Franklin, confirming he could seek the staffers' arrest.
"I was intending to advise the house that I would be certifying to a judge of the Supreme Court ... that the witnesses have failed to appear before the committee without a just and reasonable excuse," Mr Franklin told the parliament on Wednesday morning.
"I have subsequently been advised that the five witnesses have reconsidered their position and have agreed to attend a hearing to provide evidence voluntarily."
Mr Franklin sought legal advice from eminent barrister Bret Walker SC, which affirmed the president was within his rights to seek arrest warrants for the staffers failing to appear.
The premier and minister, as members of parliament's lower house, cannot be compelled to appear.
Mr Cullen, his two deputies and two senior staff in Ms Catley's office are due to appear at a new hearing on Friday morning.
The inquiry was formed to probe the passage of protest and speech laws rushed through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January.
Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job".
Committee member Sue Higginson said the inquiry expected new evidence to come to light as a result of the staffers' appearance.
"People's evidence brings a different perspective which helps to ascertain a fuller picture of what did happen and who knew what at what point in time," she told AAP.
Mr Minns was scathing of the committee's actions in pursuing the appearance of his staff on Wednesday morning.
His office also pointed to numerous statements by the committee chair Rod Roberts, calling for stronger hate crime laws ahead of their passage in February.
"We've really got to scrutinise whether this is the right chamber for this," Mr Minns said.
"There's just gross hypocrisy and political bias."
The NSW premier's right-hand man will be spared arrest after he and fellow staffers gave in to demands to face up to a hate crimes inquiry centred on an explosive-laden caravan.
Empty chairs at an otherwise routine inquiry into the passage of religious hate laws led upper house MPs to call for the arrest of five staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley.
While the premier defended his staff's position over the weekend, chief-of-staff James Cullen and his four colleagues did an about-face on Wednesday.
That followed legal advice to upper house president Ben Franklin, confirming he could seek the staffers' arrest.
"I was intending to advise the house that I would be certifying to a judge of the Supreme Court ... that the witnesses have failed to appear before the committee without a just and reasonable excuse," Mr Franklin told the parliament on Wednesday morning.
"I have subsequently been advised that the five witnesses have reconsidered their position and have agreed to attend a hearing to provide evidence voluntarily."
Mr Franklin sought legal advice from eminent barrister Bret Walker SC, which affirmed the president was within his rights to seek arrest warrants for the staffers failing to appear.
The premier and minister, as members of parliament's lower house, cannot be compelled to appear.
Mr Cullen, his two deputies and two senior staff in Ms Catley's office are due to appear at a new hearing on Friday morning.
The inquiry was formed to probe the passage of protest and speech laws rushed through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January.
Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job".
Committee member Sue Higginson said the inquiry expected new evidence to come to light as a result of the staffers' appearance.
"People's evidence brings a different perspective which helps to ascertain a fuller picture of what did happen and who knew what at what point in time," she told AAP.
Mr Minns was scathing of the committee's actions in pursuing the appearance of his staff on Wednesday morning.
His office also pointed to numerous statements by the committee chair Rod Roberts, calling for stronger hate crime laws ahead of their passage in February.
"We've really got to scrutinise whether this is the right chamber for this," Mr Minns said.
"There's just gross hypocrisy and political bias."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
10 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Protests planned across Australia after Sydney Harbour Bridge march
Protest laws could be repealed or expanded following a march across an iconic national landmark, as activists plan for more demonstrations. The pro-Palestine movement, boosted by a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge which made news across the nation and around the world, hopes to build on its momentum. The march across the bridge and back in pouring rain came after opposition from police, and a court's overruling approval that has politicians worrying about the rare occurrence becoming common. Further protests are planned on August 24 in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth with hopes more can be organised in other cities. Ahead of the state's parliament resuming on Tuesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns says his government is examining whether a legal precedent has been set by the Supreme Court judgment that allowed the protest to proceed. 'No one should believe it's open season on the bridge,' he told reporters on Monday. But new laws might be needed to stop future bridge protests. Minns was 'not ruling anything out' but said any legislation could not be rushed. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley encouraged the premier to look at 'what might happen next'. 'Because we can't continue to have these protests that shut down such an important area of a major city,' she told reporters. In her determination declining to prohibit the march, Justice Belinda Rigg said the bridge would have been closed to traffic regardless of whether the protest was authorised or not. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said demonstrations were an important part of democracy and highlighted the peaceful nature of the Sydney march. 'Australians want people to stop killing each other, they want peace and security ... they don't want conflict brought here,' he said. Minns has faced some internal dissent from other Labor MPs over protest legislation. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson has also flagged plans to seek the repeal of laws limiting protest, first introduced by the previous coalition government but expanded under Labor. Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees, defendant of the court action NSW Police took in an unsuccessful attempt to have the demonstration ruled unlawful, says nationwide protests are being planned for August 24. 'We want to build on this massive momentum we have now,' he told reporters. Despite concerns of regular marches across the bridge, Lees said the group has no plans for a repeat crossing any time soon and accused the premier of having an anti-protest agenda. 'His stance is pretty clear and he's passed a raft of anti-protest legislation already,' Lees said. 'We're going to have to keep fighting for our rights to demonstrate.'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Convicted MP rapist to oppose motion to expel him from state parliament
Lawyers for convicted rapist Gareth Ward have filed an injunction to stop his explusion from parliament, which means he will remain Kiama MP while he awaits his sentencing from behind bars. Parliament returned on Tuesday and it was expected a notice of motion to expel the disgraced politician would be put forward. However, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed Ward's lawyers sought the injunction against leader of the lower house Ron Hoenig, with an urgent hearing to occur in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Mr Minns told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning that "most people would appreciate, it's an unconscionable situation to have someone who's currently sitting in Silverwater ... who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid". A vote the a motion to expel the former Liberal was to be delayed until Wednesday after lawyers raised concerns about procedural fairness. Ward, 44, has been in jail since last week after Judge Kara Shead SC granted a detention application to revoke his bail, after a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The Kiama MP since 2011 had faced a nine-week trial, which heard he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015, and touched and massaged an 18-year-old man in Meroo Meadow in 2013. He met both men through political circles. On the morning parliament returned NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman recommitted to supporting Ward's expulsion and working with the government "to get this done as quickly as possible" "However, Mr Ward's legal team should do whatever it takes to get a clear message to him - immediately resign," Mr Speakman said. "Every day he clings to his seat from a jail cell, taxpayers are footing the bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless. It's not just wrong, it's offensive. "This is about decency, accountability, and basic respect for the community. Mr Ward should spare the Parliament, spare the courts, and above all, spare the people of NSW any further disgrace. "Step aside." Last week, Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig sent a letter to Ward via his legal team notifying him of the parliament's plans to consider his expulsion. "I am sure you would appreciate that in view of the verdict of the jury convicting you of serious criminal offences that the House needs to consider whether your continued membership of the House requires it to act to protect the high standing of the Parliament so that it may discharge with the confidence of the community the great responsibility that it bears," the letter stated. The letter, seen by the Mercury, noted that Ward was in custody and would be unable to attend parliament when the expulsion motion is being debated. "Accordingly, I invite you to submit to me yourself or anyone on your behalf any statement or material you would want the House to consider prior to making any determination," the letter stated. It gave a deadline for submissions of 9am on August 5. Under the NSW Constitution Act, an MPs seat is declared vacant if they are convicted of a crime punishable by five years or more imprisonment. Ward is facing a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail. However, changes to the law in 2000 state that a conviction is considered to mean "once you have reached the end of the appeals process ... and not had the conviction overturned". Ward confirmed his intention to appeal in a press release issued last Friday. "I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity," he said. Parliament also has the power to expel an MP for "unworthy conduct". If the expulsioon is passed a byelection will be called for the seat of Kiama. Despite being charged with the offences in 2022, Ward was re-elected to the seat as an independent in 2023. Lawyers for convicted rapist Gareth Ward have filed an injunction to stop his explusion from parliament, which means he will remain Kiama MP while he awaits his sentencing from behind bars. Parliament returned on Tuesday and it was expected a notice of motion to expel the disgraced politician would be put forward. However, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed Ward's lawyers sought the injunction against leader of the lower house Ron Hoenig, with an urgent hearing to occur in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Mr Minns told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning that "most people would appreciate, it's an unconscionable situation to have someone who's currently sitting in Silverwater ... who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid". A vote the a motion to expel the former Liberal was to be delayed until Wednesday after lawyers raised concerns about procedural fairness. Ward, 44, has been in jail since last week after Judge Kara Shead SC granted a detention application to revoke his bail, after a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The Kiama MP since 2011 had faced a nine-week trial, which heard he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015, and touched and massaged an 18-year-old man in Meroo Meadow in 2013. He met both men through political circles. On the morning parliament returned NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman recommitted to supporting Ward's expulsion and working with the government "to get this done as quickly as possible" "However, Mr Ward's legal team should do whatever it takes to get a clear message to him - immediately resign," Mr Speakman said. "Every day he clings to his seat from a jail cell, taxpayers are footing the bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless. It's not just wrong, it's offensive. "This is about decency, accountability, and basic respect for the community. Mr Ward should spare the Parliament, spare the courts, and above all, spare the people of NSW any further disgrace. "Step aside." Last week, Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig sent a letter to Ward via his legal team notifying him of the parliament's plans to consider his expulsion. "I am sure you would appreciate that in view of the verdict of the jury convicting you of serious criminal offences that the House needs to consider whether your continued membership of the House requires it to act to protect the high standing of the Parliament so that it may discharge with the confidence of the community the great responsibility that it bears," the letter stated. The letter, seen by the Mercury, noted that Ward was in custody and would be unable to attend parliament when the expulsion motion is being debated. "Accordingly, I invite you to submit to me yourself or anyone on your behalf any statement or material you would want the House to consider prior to making any determination," the letter stated. It gave a deadline for submissions of 9am on August 5. Under the NSW Constitution Act, an MPs seat is declared vacant if they are convicted of a crime punishable by five years or more imprisonment. Ward is facing a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail. However, changes to the law in 2000 state that a conviction is considered to mean "once you have reached the end of the appeals process ... and not had the conviction overturned". Ward confirmed his intention to appeal in a press release issued last Friday. "I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity," he said. Parliament also has the power to expel an MP for "unworthy conduct". If the expulsioon is passed a byelection will be called for the seat of Kiama. Despite being charged with the offences in 2022, Ward was re-elected to the seat as an independent in 2023. Lawyers for convicted rapist Gareth Ward have filed an injunction to stop his explusion from parliament, which means he will remain Kiama MP while he awaits his sentencing from behind bars. Parliament returned on Tuesday and it was expected a notice of motion to expel the disgraced politician would be put forward. However, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed Ward's lawyers sought the injunction against leader of the lower house Ron Hoenig, with an urgent hearing to occur in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Mr Minns told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning that "most people would appreciate, it's an unconscionable situation to have someone who's currently sitting in Silverwater ... who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid". A vote the a motion to expel the former Liberal was to be delayed until Wednesday after lawyers raised concerns about procedural fairness. Ward, 44, has been in jail since last week after Judge Kara Shead SC granted a detention application to revoke his bail, after a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The Kiama MP since 2011 had faced a nine-week trial, which heard he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015, and touched and massaged an 18-year-old man in Meroo Meadow in 2013. He met both men through political circles. On the morning parliament returned NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman recommitted to supporting Ward's expulsion and working with the government "to get this done as quickly as possible" "However, Mr Ward's legal team should do whatever it takes to get a clear message to him - immediately resign," Mr Speakman said. "Every day he clings to his seat from a jail cell, taxpayers are footing the bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless. It's not just wrong, it's offensive. "This is about decency, accountability, and basic respect for the community. Mr Ward should spare the Parliament, spare the courts, and above all, spare the people of NSW any further disgrace. "Step aside." Last week, Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig sent a letter to Ward via his legal team notifying him of the parliament's plans to consider his expulsion. "I am sure you would appreciate that in view of the verdict of the jury convicting you of serious criminal offences that the House needs to consider whether your continued membership of the House requires it to act to protect the high standing of the Parliament so that it may discharge with the confidence of the community the great responsibility that it bears," the letter stated. The letter, seen by the Mercury, noted that Ward was in custody and would be unable to attend parliament when the expulsion motion is being debated. "Accordingly, I invite you to submit to me yourself or anyone on your behalf any statement or material you would want the House to consider prior to making any determination," the letter stated. It gave a deadline for submissions of 9am on August 5. Under the NSW Constitution Act, an MPs seat is declared vacant if they are convicted of a crime punishable by five years or more imprisonment. Ward is facing a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail. However, changes to the law in 2000 state that a conviction is considered to mean "once you have reached the end of the appeals process ... and not had the conviction overturned". Ward confirmed his intention to appeal in a press release issued last Friday. "I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity," he said. Parliament also has the power to expel an MP for "unworthy conduct". If the expulsioon is passed a byelection will be called for the seat of Kiama. Despite being charged with the offences in 2022, Ward was re-elected to the seat as an independent in 2023. Lawyers for convicted rapist Gareth Ward have filed an injunction to stop his explusion from parliament, which means he will remain Kiama MP while he awaits his sentencing from behind bars. Parliament returned on Tuesday and it was expected a notice of motion to expel the disgraced politician would be put forward. However, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed Ward's lawyers sought the injunction against leader of the lower house Ron Hoenig, with an urgent hearing to occur in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Mr Minns told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning that "most people would appreciate, it's an unconscionable situation to have someone who's currently sitting in Silverwater ... who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid". A vote the a motion to expel the former Liberal was to be delayed until Wednesday after lawyers raised concerns about procedural fairness. Ward, 44, has been in jail since last week after Judge Kara Shead SC granted a detention application to revoke his bail, after a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The Kiama MP since 2011 had faced a nine-week trial, which heard he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015, and touched and massaged an 18-year-old man in Meroo Meadow in 2013. He met both men through political circles. On the morning parliament returned NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman recommitted to supporting Ward's expulsion and working with the government "to get this done as quickly as possible" "However, Mr Ward's legal team should do whatever it takes to get a clear message to him - immediately resign," Mr Speakman said. "Every day he clings to his seat from a jail cell, taxpayers are footing the bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless. It's not just wrong, it's offensive. "This is about decency, accountability, and basic respect for the community. Mr Ward should spare the Parliament, spare the courts, and above all, spare the people of NSW any further disgrace. "Step aside." Last week, Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig sent a letter to Ward via his legal team notifying him of the parliament's plans to consider his expulsion. "I am sure you would appreciate that in view of the verdict of the jury convicting you of serious criminal offences that the House needs to consider whether your continued membership of the House requires it to act to protect the high standing of the Parliament so that it may discharge with the confidence of the community the great responsibility that it bears," the letter stated. The letter, seen by the Mercury, noted that Ward was in custody and would be unable to attend parliament when the expulsion motion is being debated. "Accordingly, I invite you to submit to me yourself or anyone on your behalf any statement or material you would want the House to consider prior to making any determination," the letter stated. It gave a deadline for submissions of 9am on August 5. Under the NSW Constitution Act, an MPs seat is declared vacant if they are convicted of a crime punishable by five years or more imprisonment. Ward is facing a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail. However, changes to the law in 2000 state that a conviction is considered to mean "once you have reached the end of the appeals process ... and not had the conviction overturned". Ward confirmed his intention to appeal in a press release issued last Friday. "I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity," he said. Parliament also has the power to expel an MP for "unworthy conduct". If the expulsioon is passed a byelection will be called for the seat of Kiama. Despite being charged with the offences in 2022, Ward was re-elected to the seat as an independent in 2023.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Brazil orders ex-president Bolsonaro under house arrest
Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the house arrest for the country's former president Jair Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly masterminding a coup plot to remain in office despite his defeat in the 2022 election. The case has gripped the South American country as it faces a trade war with the Trump administration. The trial is receiving renewed attention after US President Donald Trump directly tied a 50 per cent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. The US leader has called the proceedings a "witch hunt". Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro of heading a criminal organisation that plotted to overturn the election, including plans to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and a Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes. Monday's order followed one from the top court in July that ordered Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle monitor and imposed a curfew on his activities while the proceedings are under way. Justice Moraes, who oversees the case against Bolsonaro in the court, issued the order, saying in his decision that the 70-year-old far-right leader had violated the precautionary measures imposed on him by posting content on the social media channels of his three lawmaker sons. Moraes added that Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022, has spread messages with "a clear content of encouragement and instigation to attacks against the Supreme Court and a blatant support for foreign intervention in the Brazilian Judiciary". Tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took the streets in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, pleading for Brazil's congress to pardon him and hundreds of others who are under trial for their roles in the destruction of government buildings in capital Brasilia on January 8, 2023. The latest decision from the top court keeps Boslonaro under ankle monitoring, allows only family members and lawyers to visit him and seizes all mobile phones from his home. Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the house arrest for the country's former president Jair Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly masterminding a coup plot to remain in office despite his defeat in the 2022 election. The case has gripped the South American country as it faces a trade war with the Trump administration. The trial is receiving renewed attention after US President Donald Trump directly tied a 50 per cent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. The US leader has called the proceedings a "witch hunt". Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro of heading a criminal organisation that plotted to overturn the election, including plans to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and a Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes. Monday's order followed one from the top court in July that ordered Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle monitor and imposed a curfew on his activities while the proceedings are under way. Justice Moraes, who oversees the case against Bolsonaro in the court, issued the order, saying in his decision that the 70-year-old far-right leader had violated the precautionary measures imposed on him by posting content on the social media channels of his three lawmaker sons. Moraes added that Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022, has spread messages with "a clear content of encouragement and instigation to attacks against the Supreme Court and a blatant support for foreign intervention in the Brazilian Judiciary". Tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took the streets in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, pleading for Brazil's congress to pardon him and hundreds of others who are under trial for their roles in the destruction of government buildings in capital Brasilia on January 8, 2023. The latest decision from the top court keeps Boslonaro under ankle monitoring, allows only family members and lawyers to visit him and seizes all mobile phones from his home. Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the house arrest for the country's former president Jair Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly masterminding a coup plot to remain in office despite his defeat in the 2022 election. The case has gripped the South American country as it faces a trade war with the Trump administration. The trial is receiving renewed attention after US President Donald Trump directly tied a 50 per cent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. The US leader has called the proceedings a "witch hunt". Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro of heading a criminal organisation that plotted to overturn the election, including plans to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and a Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes. Monday's order followed one from the top court in July that ordered Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle monitor and imposed a curfew on his activities while the proceedings are under way. Justice Moraes, who oversees the case against Bolsonaro in the court, issued the order, saying in his decision that the 70-year-old far-right leader had violated the precautionary measures imposed on him by posting content on the social media channels of his three lawmaker sons. Moraes added that Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022, has spread messages with "a clear content of encouragement and instigation to attacks against the Supreme Court and a blatant support for foreign intervention in the Brazilian Judiciary". Tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took the streets in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, pleading for Brazil's congress to pardon him and hundreds of others who are under trial for their roles in the destruction of government buildings in capital Brasilia on January 8, 2023. The latest decision from the top court keeps Boslonaro under ankle monitoring, allows only family members and lawyers to visit him and seizes all mobile phones from his home. Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the house arrest for the country's former president Jair Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly masterminding a coup plot to remain in office despite his defeat in the 2022 election. The case has gripped the South American country as it faces a trade war with the Trump administration. The trial is receiving renewed attention after US President Donald Trump directly tied a 50 per cent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. The US leader has called the proceedings a "witch hunt". Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro of heading a criminal organisation that plotted to overturn the election, including plans to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and a Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes. Monday's order followed one from the top court in July that ordered Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle monitor and imposed a curfew on his activities while the proceedings are under way. Justice Moraes, who oversees the case against Bolsonaro in the court, issued the order, saying in his decision that the 70-year-old far-right leader had violated the precautionary measures imposed on him by posting content on the social media channels of his three lawmaker sons. Moraes added that Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022, has spread messages with "a clear content of encouragement and instigation to attacks against the Supreme Court and a blatant support for foreign intervention in the Brazilian Judiciary". Tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took the streets in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, pleading for Brazil's congress to pardon him and hundreds of others who are under trial for their roles in the destruction of government buildings in capital Brasilia on January 8, 2023. The latest decision from the top court keeps Boslonaro under ankle monitoring, allows only family members and lawyers to visit him and seizes all mobile phones from his home.
