Brazilian authorities detained former President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday, citing concerns about a potential flight risk. The move comes after a judge highlighted the possibility of Bolsonaro attempting to evade justice, given his existing 27-year sentence for allegedly plotting a coup and his months spent under house arrest.
Bolsonaro, a far-right leader who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, stands accused of trying to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming office following the 2022 election. In September, he was convicted of leading a criminal organization that conspired to maintain his grip on power illegitimately.
The 70-year-old Bolsonaro was transferred to a federal police facility after being under house arrest with electronic monitoring since August, pending an investigation into alleged obstruction of justice. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the detention order, pointing to evidence suggesting that Bolsonaro’s supporters were hindering police monitoring of his house arrest. Furthermore, there were indications of tampering with the tracking device attached to his ankle the previous night.
The judge also noted that a prayer gathering, promoted by Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, on social media, raised suspicions of a possible escape attempt to a nearby embassy. This event occurred close to Bolsonaro’s residence.
Reports indicate that Bolsonaro’s health has been declining. A source familiar with the matter stated that the former president was taken to a federal police complex in Brasilia, where detainees undergo medical examinations before being sent to prison. The Supreme Court recently rejected Bolsonaro’s appeal against his conviction.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers had requested that he be allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest due to his deteriorating health, arguing that imprisonment would have severe consequences and pose a risk to his life. The former president has suffered complications related to a stabbing he sustained during his 2018 election campaign, requiring multiple surgeries.
