Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was detained by police in Brasilia, marking the first time since his conviction for plotting a coup. The Supreme Court had sentenced him to 27 years in prison for attempting to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, a charge he denies. Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since early August, appealing the conviction, and his detention occurred shortly before his supporters planned to hold a vigil near his home. The police, citing concerns about potential risks, took action following a court order that highlighted the risk of activists interfering in the monitoring of his house arrest.
According to Reuters, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to be taken into custody, citing the risk of the activists hampering the police monitoring of his house arrest. The judge also pointed to evidence of tampering with the politician’s ankle monitor the night before, the agency said. Moraes also argued in his order that the gathering near Bolsonaro’s home could pave the way for his ‘eventual escape,’ saying that the former president had previously considered seeking asylum in the Argentine embassy in Brasilia. A federal police representative told the media that Bolsonaro has already undergone the custody intake process in the capital.
In July, US President Donald Trump, who established close relations with Bolsonaro during his first term, called the former president’s persecution by the government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and a ‘witch hunt’ and slapped 50% tariffs on certain Brazilian goods. However, earlier this month Washington began rolling back some of the levies. The developments surrounding Bolsonaro have raised significant political tensions and questions about the rule of law in Brazil.
As the situation unfolds, observers are closely monitoring the legal and political ramifications of Bolsonaro’s detention. The case has become a focal point for discussions on judicial independence, political accountability, and the potential impact on Brazil’s democratic institutions. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching effects on the country’s political landscape and its relations with other nations, particularly the United States.
Meanwhile, the public is watching to see how this development will play out in the context of ongoing political maneuvering and the broader implications for Brazil’s democracy. The detention of a former president represents a significant moment in Brazil’s political history, underscoring the challenges of maintaining the rule of law amidst intense political opposition and media scrutiny.