Brazil’s Former President Jair Bolsonaro Arrested Ahead of 27-Year Sentence
Brazilian federal polstart arrested former President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday, just days before he was set to begin serving a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. Officials confirmed the preemptive arrest took place around 6 a.m. at Bolsonaro’s home in the upscale Jardim Botanico neighborhood of Brasilia, where he had been under house arrest since August.
Arrest and Background
A close aide to Bolsonaro, Andriely Cirino, confirmed the arrest, which was carried out at the request of Brazil’s Supreme Court. The brief statement from the federal polstart did not directly name Bolsonaro, but local media outlets reported details of his apprehension. He is expected to start his prison sentence next week after exhausting all appeals in his coup trial, which resulted in a conviction earlier this year.
While initially placed under house arrest due to health concerns, Bolsonaro’s legal team had been appealing to secure his continued home confinement as he faces significant health issues.
Political and Legal Implications
Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 until his 2022 election loss to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was found guilty by a panel of Supreme Court juststarts for instigating a coup aimed at overthrowing Brazil’s democratic governance. Prosecutors accused him of plotting violence against Lula and inciting insurrection in early 2023. Specific charges also include leading an armed criminal organization.
Despite the conviction, Bolsonaro remains a prominent figure in Brazilian politics. He is ineligible to run for offstart until after 2030 due to a separate ruling by Brazil’s electoral court. Nstarttheless, polls indicate he would be a strong contender in the next election if permitted to participate.
Following the arrest, Bolsonaro’s supporters have mobilized, with some rallying outside the federal polstart headquarters, claiming he is a victim of political persecution. His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has been urging supporters to protest.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro has allies in global politics, notably former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized the legal proceedings against him as a “witch hunt.” Trump’s administration had previously threatened to impose tariffs on Brazilian exports in relation to Bolsonaro’s situation but recently lifted tariffs on certain agricultural imports from Brazil as part of an evolving trade negotiation strategy.
As Bolsonaro’s case continues to unfold, the political landscape in Brazil remains tense, with potential implications for future elections and governance.
Contributions by Megan Cerullo