Political Tensions Intensify in Brazil as Former President Taken Into Custody
Brazil is once again at the centre of global attention after former president Jair Bolsonaro was moved from house arrest into police custody on Saturday. The decision, issued by the Supreme Court, marks a dramatic escalation in the legal saga surrounding the far-right leader, who was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in an attempted coup aimed at preventing Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office following Brazil’s 2022 elections.
Bolsonaro, one of the most polarising figures in modern Brazilian politics, had been under house arrest in an upscale Brasília condominium since August. But Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the case, ruled that Bolsonaro must be taken into custody immediately as a “high flight risk.” The ruling emphasised that Saturday’s action was not the execution of his sentence, but rather a preventative step intended to thwart an alleged escape plan.
A Preventative Arrest Amid High Tensions in Brazil
Judge de Moraes explained that a vigil organised by Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, outside the condominium posed potential security and operational risks. The gathering, scheduled for the same day, could reportedly have created an opportunity for the former president to flee amid the commotion.
Adding to concerns, de Moraes revealed that an attempt was made to tamper with Bolsonaro’s electronic ankle bracelet just after midnight. This, he argued, further confirmed Bolsonaro’s intention to evade authorities. The judge also noted the proximity of Bolsonaro’s residence to the US embassy—a detail he said heightened the urgency of preventing any escape attempt. Authorities also recalled that Bolsonaro had previously explored fleeing to the Argentine embassy to request political asylum.
Bolsonaro is an ally of former US President Donald Trump, who labelled his trial in Brazil a “witch hunt” and imposed retaliatory tariffs and sanctions during Bolsonaro’s presidency. The diplomatic tension surrounding the case has only added to the complexity and visibility of the situation.
Bolsonaro’s conviction stems from what prosecutors described as a “criminal organization” formed to keep him in power illegally. According to the court, the plot included plans to assassinate President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice de Moraes. His alleged efforts to dismantle Brazil’s democratic transition after losing the election have made the case one of the most consequential political trials in the country’s recent history.
While Bolsonaro’s legal team continues to fight the ruling, time is rapidly running out. An appeal filed earlier this month was rejected, leaving only a narrow window for further challenges before his sentence becomes enforceable. His lawyers announced that new appeals would be submitted by Monday, yet simultaneously requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to serve any final sentence under house arrest due to his deteriorating health.
At 70 years old, Bolsonaro’s medical challenges have become a focal point of his defence. His legal team argues that imprisonment poses “a serious risk to his life,” citing longstanding complications from a 2018 stabbing incident during his presidential campaign. Since being placed under house arrest, they say he has been hospitalised three times.
His lawyers listed a long catalogue of health issues, including chronic gastritis, severe apnea requiring nightly CPAP treatment, and recurring “uncontrollable hiccups” that cause shortness of breath and fainting. The defence also pointed to the precedent set by former president Fernando Collor de Mello, who was allowed to serve a corruption sentence at home due to medical concerns.
As Brazil debates the appropriate balance between justice and humanitarian considerations, Bolsonaro’s supporters have amplified concerns about his condition. His son Flavio released a video urging Brazilians to “fight for your country,” while his wife Michelle Bolsonaro posted online: “I trust in God’s justice. Human justice, as we have seen, no longer holds. But I know that the Lord will provide the way out.
Bolsonaro is currently being held at a federal police facility in Brasília, where detainees undergo medical screenings before being transferred to correctional facilities. The Supreme Court has scheduled a virtual “custody hearing” for Sunday to determine the next steps. Judge de Moraes also ordered that Bolsonaro be accompanied by a doctor at all times.
Brazil now finds itself navigating a volatile political landscape, with a former head of state facing imprisonment for crimes against democracy and a deeply divided nation watching closely. As legal proceedings continue, the case is poised to shape Brazil’s political future for years to come.
Source- EWN
