Bolsonaro Arrested in Alleged Plot to Escape Prison Sentence

By Mandy Taheri

Politics and Culture Reporter

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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday on orders from the country’s Supreme Court over accusations of plotting to flee ahead of his nearly three-decade prison sentence, the Federal Police confirmed.

Why It Matters

In September, Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted Bolsonaro, 70, who led the country from 2019 to 2022, of attempting a coupe to stay in power after his election loss. He was sentenced to 27 years and has been on house arrest with an ankle monitor since August.

Bolsonaro was convicted on five counts, including attempting to violently undermine Brazil’s democratic order and participating in an armed criminal organization, among others. The former president is close allies with President Donald Trump, who previously said in July that Brazil was enacting a "political execution" against Bolsonaro that is "terrible," and a "witch hunt."

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What To Know

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro’s arrest after he claimed Bolsonaro's ankle monitor was violated early Saturday morning, according to the Associated Press. The former president was ordered to wear an ankle monitor as the court previously deemed him as a flight risk.

"The Federal Police carried out this Saturday (November 22nd), in Brasilia/DF, a preventive arrest warrant in compliance with a decision of the Supreme Federal Court," the federal police wrote on Saturday.

He was escorted from his home to police headquarters in Brasilia about 6 a.m. Saturday, the AP reported. Moraes said he suspected Bolsonaro was preparing to flee in the days before he was due to begin his prison sentence.

He also cited a call by Bolsonaro's son for protestors to gather outside the property on Saturday, along with information showing the "intent of the convict to break the ankle monitoring," arguing that any escape attempt would be made "easier by the confusion" of the demonstration.

The former president's son, Flavio Bolsonaro, on Friday posted a video on X calling for supporters to hold a "vigil for the health of Bolsonaro and for freedom in Brazil! Saturday, November 22, 7 PM," with the location listed as outside of where Bolsonaro was staying.

Several Bolsonaro allies were also convicted by a Supreme Court panel earlier this year for attempting to overthrow Brazil's democracy.

Fabio Wajngarten, Bolsonaro’s former press adviser and lawyer, said in an X post on Saturday morning hours after the arrest, "The ankle bracelet is currently functioning at this moment. How could something that had been broken or violated function normally 9 hours later?"

What People Are Saying

Arthur Lira, Brazilian lawyer and politician, wrote in Portuguese in an X post: "The preventive detention of former president Jair Bolsonaro is not justified and reopens the wounds of political polarization that clouds Brazil's future. No country can be proud of having its last presidents imprisoned."

Antonio Tabet, a Brazilian scriptwriter, advertising specialist, and comedian, wrote in a Saturday X post in Portuguese: "Bolsonaro tried to remove the electronic ankle monitor this morning. The plan was to flee during the demonstration called by Flávio to an embassy. Probably of the USA or Argentina. These people plan an escape with the same competence that they architect a coup."

Fabio Wajngarten, Bolsonaro’s former press adviser and lawyer, said in an X post Saturday in Portuguese: "The preventive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, decreed this morning, causes profound perplexity, mainly because, as the chronology of the facts demonstrates (representation made on 11/21), it is based on a prayer vigil. The 1988 Constitution, correctly, guarantees the right of assembly to all, especially to ensure religious freedom. Despite claiming the “existence of very serious indications of possible flight,” the fact is that the former President was arrested at his home, with an electronic ankle monitor and being watched by the police authorities. In addition, Jair Bolsonaro's health condition is delicate and his arrest may put his life at risk. The defense will file the appropriate appeal."