Brazil Media: Bolsonaro arrested "preventively"
According to several media reports, Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested "preventively". It is not a matter of enforcing the sentence imposed by the Supreme Federal Court for an attempted coup d'état, but a measure to "guarantee public order", reported the news portal "G1", among others. There was an "increased risk of flight" as Bolsonaro is said to have violated the conditions of his electronic ankle bracelet, "G1" quoted federal judge Alexandre de Moraes as saying.
22.11.2025, 12:36
SDA
Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison in September for attempted coup d'état. However, the sentence is not yet final. Observers had assumed that he could start his prison sentence next week.
Background: vigil and security concerns
It was only on Friday that Bolsonaro's son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, called for a night-time vigil in front of his father's house. According to the "G1" report, the federal police classified the planned march by Bolsonaro supporters as a risk for both participants and emergency services.
Bolsonaro was reportedly taken into custody in Brasília at around 6.00 am (local time) and taken to the federal police headquarters, where he was placed in a special room for former state and public officials. The ex-president had already been under house arrest since August for violating court orders.
The federal police stated on Saturday morning that they had "executed an arrest warrant for pre-trial detention in accordance with a decision by the Supreme Federal Court", but did not name the ex-president.
Bolsonaro's defense had requested on Friday that the sentence be carried out under house arrest, citing the 70-year-old's health problems.
