This Saturday, Brazilian Federal Police executed a preventive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, aged 70, in Brasília. The arrest occurred during the final stages of a coup plot investigation.
Details of the Arrest
Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since August 4. The decision to arrest him was made to ensure public order. It followed a vigil organized by his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, scheduled for the same night.
The preventive arrest was authorized by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, the case’s rapporteur at the Supreme Federal Court (STF). Moraes cited risks, including a potential escape to a U.S. embassy and the violation of his electronic monitoring device.
Execution of the Arrest
The police arrived at Bolsonaro’s residence around 6 AM, employing at least five vehicles. He was taken into custody approximately 20 minutes later and transferred to the Federal Police Superintendence, where he will remain in a facility equipped with a bed, private bathroom, and desk.
Reactions
Upon his arrest, Bolsonaro was reportedly in a state of calm but was sobbing. Fábio Wajngarten, former head of communications for Bolsonaro, expressed disbelief over the circumstance, particularly concerning the timing and Bolsonaro’s health.
Legal Consequences
Bolsonaro was previously sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for leading a coup attempt. This marks the first time in Brazil’s history that a former president has faced punishment for such a crime. Seven other defendants, all former high-ranking officials in Bolsonaro’s administration, received sentences ranging from 2 to 26 years.
- Crimes attributed to Bolsonaro include:
- Organized armed crime
- Abolition of democratic order
- Qualified damage to public property
- Deterioration of historical landmarks
- His total sentence includes:
- 24 years and 9 months of imprisonment
- The remaining time in detention
The maximum sentence could potentially reach 43 years. Additionally, an eight-year ineligibility period has been imposed on all convicted individuals once their sentences conclude. Bolsonaro was already barred from participating in elections until 2030 due to previous electoral abuses. Following this latest decision, his ineligibility extends until 2060.
Defense Plea
On Friday, Bolsonaro’s attorneys petitioned the STF to maintain him under house arrest, citing health issues and potential risks to his life. They urged that he be allowed to remain at home, where he had already been serving his sentence.
