SAEDNEWS: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into federal police custody on Saturday, his lawyer said, ending months of house arrest as he appealed a Supreme Court conviction for attacks on Brazil’s democracy.
Bolsonaro’s attorney did not provide a reason for the detention. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters it was a preventative measure related to the conditions of his house arrest.
The former right-wing president was sentenced in September to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Authorities identified Bolsonaro as the leader and main beneficiary of a scheme designed to prevent Lula from assuming office in 2023.
For more than 100 days, Bolsonaro has been under strict house arrest for violating precautionary measures in a separate case, in which he allegedly sought U.S. interference to stop the criminal proceedings against him.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who maintained a friendly relationship with Bolsonaro while both were in office, has called the case a “witch hunt.” Trump imposed sanctions on Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the case, and levied a 50% tariff on U.S. imports of several Brazilian goods—a policy he began rolling back this month.
While under house arrest, Bolsonaro was barred from using social media but continued to receive visits from political allies. His defense team is expected to seek permission for him to remain under house arrest, citing several health issues.
