by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
BRASILIA (Worthy News) – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was detained by Brazil’s federal police on Saturday, days before he was set to begin his 27-year prison sentence for “leading a coup attempt,” officials said.
Several sources confirmed that the 70-year-old embattled ex-leader was taken to the police force headquarters in the capital, Brasília, at the request of Brazil’s Supreme Court, despite U.S. criticism.
He was arrested ahead of a supporters’ vigil, ending months of house arrest as he appeals the coup-plot conviction.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has called the prosecution a political witch-hunt.
However, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the detention, saying a planned gathering by supporters outside Bolsonaro’s home “could undermine monitoring” and noted “evidence of tampering with his ankle monitor” the night before.
CONCERNS OVER FLIGHT RISK
Federal police had expressed concern that Bolsonaro might attempt to flee or seek political asylum, especially given recent “signs of coordination” among supporters preparing the mass gathering outside his Brasília home.
Moraes agreed with that assessment. “The tumult caused by an illegal gathering of the convict’s supporters has a strong chance of putting at risk the house arrest and other precautionary measures, allowing for his eventual escape,” Moraes wrote in Saturday’s detention decision.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers said they plan to file an “appropriate appeal” against the detention.
The Supreme Court’s order came two months after Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years for leading what judges called a coordinated effort to nullify the 2022 election results and “abolish the democratic rule of law.”
The Court was to vote on Monday on whether the preventive detention will remain in place, as Bolsonaro’s legal team pursues further appeals.
BOLSONARO’S RECORD AND CONTROVERSIES
His supporters argue that Bolsonaro has been penalized for actions taken during his 2019-2023 presidency, when he pursued a strong conservative, pro-market agenda, positioned himself as an ally of the United States, and adopted a combative style reminiscent of Trump.
Yet he also faced criticism for remarks praising Brazil’s former military dictatorship and for challenging Brazil’s electronic voting system.
Following his defeat in the 2022 election, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed key government buildings in Brasília on January 8, 2023, seeking to block the inauguration of his successor.
In June 2023, Brazil’s electoral court ruled him ineligible to run for office until 2030 due to alleged misuse of power and attempts to undermine the vote.
He was indicted, tried, and in September 2025 convicted of five counts, including “participation in an armed criminal organization” and “attempting to violently abolish democratic rule,” receiving a 27-year, 3-month sentence.
TRUMP SUPPORTS EX-PRESIDENT
Trump has publicly defended Bolsonaro and harshly criticized Brazil’s judicial actions.
In July 2025, Trump labelled the case against Bolsonaro a “witch-hunt” and urged Brazilian authorities to “leave Bolsonaro alone.”
The U.S. also imposed steep tariffs of 50 percent on Brazilian exports, revoked visas of key Brazilian justices, and sanctioned officials tied to the trial, raising diplomatic tensions. Trump said the moves were necessary as “Bolsonaro is not a dishonest man … Nobody is happy with what Brazil is doing because Bolsonaro was a respected president.”
Bolsonaro himself echoed Trump’s language, calling his trial a “witch-hunt,” and accused the Brazilian judiciary of political motives.
Brazil is currently led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who assumed office on January 1, 2023. He is a member of the Workers’ Party (PT) and claims to represent a centre-left political affiliation.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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