Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Tuesday ordered increased police security around the residence of former President Jair Bolsonaro, including 24-hour patrols, citing a heightened risk of flight ahead of final arguments in his coup plot trial.

Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest earlier this month in a gated community in Brasilia after the court determined he had violated restraining orders designed to prevent interference in the legal process.

He is facing charges of orchestrating a coup attempt to overturn the results of the 2022 election, which he lost. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing. Final arguments in the case are set to begin early next month.

Moraes wrote in his decision that reinforcing police presence is “appropriate and necessary” given the approaching trial phase. He also referenced a recent police report that raised new concerns Bolsonaro might attempt to flee.

The report cited a 2024 draft letter in which Bolsonaro requested asylum in Argentina and accused both him and his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, of attempting to interfere with the legal proceedings. Eduardo, a sitting Brazilian congressman, is currently residing in the US and has been lobbying in Washington on behalf of his father.

Bolsonaro’s legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

His defense has previously argued that the asylum draft does not prove flight risk, as it was written a year ago, and maintains that Bolsonaro has not violated any court orders.

Justice Moraes also instructed police to ensure that the increased security presence does not disrupt Bolsonaro’s daily activities or disturb his neighbors.

– Ends

With inputs from Reuters