Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was recently detained after months under house arrest while appealing his 27-year sentence for plotting a coup.
Bolsonaro’s alleged attempt to tamper with his electronic ankle monitor while under house arrest was attributed to his health issues and medication side effects, according to his legal team. The Supreme Court is set to vote on whether to uphold his pre-emptive detention. This case is linked to the legal proceedings stemming from his alleged efforts to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, which he denies.
The former president, who is 70 years old, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to undermine the country’s electoral system. His legal team has cited health problems and the interaction of his medications, which are known to cause side effects such as altered mental status, hallucinations, and impaired coordination. The lawyers have requested the court to review the latest ruling to transfer him from house arrest to custody.
Bolsonaro’s case is part of a broader legal battle that includes accusations of attempting to erode public trust in the electoral system. Prosecutors allege that his supporters mobilized in Brasilia after his defeat in 2022, leading to the storming and vandalism of the nation’s three branches of government on January 8, 2023.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump has accused Brazil’s legal system of being politically motivated, imposing steep tariffs on the country. The US has also sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, citing serious human rights violations. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has condemned these actions, accusing the US of helping stage a coup and vowing that Brazil will not forget this.