Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday after the Supreme Court deemed him a flight risk, citing his tampering with an electronic ankle monitor and plans to exploit a supporter rally to escape house arrest. The 70-year-old far-right leader, convicted for leading a coup plot, was taken into custody by federal police in Brasília, deepening political divisions in Brazil.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the preventive detention after new evidence emerged, including damage to Bolsonaro’s ankle monitor. In a video released by the court, Bolsonaro admitted using a soldering iron on the device out of curiosity but denied any intent to flee. However, the court concluded the damage was part of an escape plan, with Justice Moraes citing a ‘concrete flight risk’ due to the former president’s actions and the proximity of his home to foreign embassies.
The arrest was also prompted by a planned vigil outside Bolsonaro’s home, organized by his son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who called on supporters to ‘fight for your country.’ Justice Moraes argued that the gathering could create confusion and facilitate an escape, as Bolsonaro’s residence is near the U.S. embassy, raising concerns he might seek asylum. Flavio’s social media posts urging a prayer vigil were seen as a potential cover for breaking free from house arrest.
Bolsonaro’s legal team swiftly denounced the arrest as unjustified, claiming the ankle monitor remained functional and that he had no means to escape under 24-hour police surveillance. They plan to appeal the detention order and have previously requested that Bolsonaro serve his entire 27-year sentence under house arrest, citing health issues from a 2018 stabbing. His lawyer, Paulo Cunha Bueno, called the flight risk narrative an attempt to ‘justify the unjustifiable.’
The former president was convicted in September for conspiring to prevent the inauguration of his successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, after losing the 2022 election. The plot allegedly included plans to assassinate Lula, his vice president, and Justice Moraes, though it failed to gain military backing. Bolsonaro has repeatedly labeled the trial a ‘witch hunt’ aimed at barring him from the 2026 presidential election, and his conviction has polarized Brazilian society.
Reactions to the arrest were sharply divided. Supporters gathered in protest, with Flavio Bolsonaro emotionally decrying the detention in live broadcasts, while opponents celebrated outside the police station, uncorking champagne and hailing the event as justice served. The scene echoed earlier tensions, such as the January 2023 storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro supporters, underscoring the ongoing political strife in the country.
Internationally, U.S. President Donald Trump, an ally of Bolsonaro, expressed disappointment upon learning of the arrest and had previously imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods over the trial. U.S. officials voiced concerns about judicial overreach, but Brazilian authorities emphasized the rule of law. The arrest has drawn global attention to Brazil’s democratic stability, with implications for diplomatic relations and regional politics.
Bolsonaro is now held in a federal police complex in Brasília, awaiting a custody hearing on Sunday. His legal team continues to advocate for house arrest based on health grounds, but the court remains firm on the flight risk assessment. The outcome of this hearing could shape the former president’s fate and influence Brazil’s political landscape, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of his controversial presidency and legal battles.
