Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been detained by police, marking a pivotal moment in his legal battle over alleged coup plotting. The 70-year-old, who had been under house arrest in Brasilia since August, was appealing a conviction that sentenced him to 27 years in prison for attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election. His lawyer, Celso Vilardi, confirmed the arrest, though the specific reason for the detention was not immediately disclosed. The move by authorities has sparked debate about the treatment of political figures in Brazil and the balance between national security and civil liberties.
Bolsonaro’s arrest followed a recent order from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who cited the risk of his supporters disrupting police monitoring of his house arrest. The judge also accused Bolsonaro of tampering with his ankle monitor the previous night, suggesting a potential breach of his restricted movement. Moraes argued that the planned gathering near Bolsonaro’s home could pose a risk to national security, given the former president’s history of advocating for asylum in the Argentine embassy. This concern was heightened by his past public statements about the possibility of seeking refuge abroad if faced with legal challenges.
Meanwhile, the international community has expressed varied reactions to the situation. U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously maintained a close relationship with Bolsonaro, recently labeled the former president’s persecution as a “witch hunt” and had imposed 50% tariffs on certain Brazilian goods. However, the United States has since begun to roll back some of these levies. This development highlights the complex geopolitical ties between Brazil and the United States, as well as the potential impact of domestic political decisions on international trade relations.