Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested at his home in Brasília, Brazil on Saturday by police to prevent a possible “attempted escape,” according to the country’s Supreme Court. The arrest came days before he was due to start serving a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers have vowed to appeal the arrest and claim that their client is not trying to escape. The arrest was triggered by a vigil organized by Bolsonaro’s oldest son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, which drew attention from the police.
Brazil’s Supreme Court warned of “unpredictable effects” if the gathering turned into a large-scale event, citing concerns about an attempted escape. The court also stated that there was a violation of Bolsonaro’s electronic monitoring equipment, suggesting that he had tried to break free.
Bolsonaro faces charges for plotting to remain in power after losing the 2022 election and has been convicted of various crimes including taking part in an armed criminal organization and damaging public property. His lawyers argue that his imprisonment could put his life at risk due to his delicate health.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/22/americas/brazil-jair-bolsonaro-arrested-intl