Former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, who had been under house arrest since August, was transferred to a detention facility at the federal police headquarters in the capital, Brasilia, on 22/11. His lawyer, Celso Vilardi, stated that the reason for his arrest was unclear.
Federal police later confirmed they had executed a "preventive arrest" order against Bolsonaro at the request of the Supreme Court. Local media reported that the move was made to "maintain public order".
The arrest was carried out just days before Bolsonaro was set to begin serving his 27-year prison sentence early next week. His attempts to appeal this ruling had failed.
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Former president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro leaves a hospital in Brasilia on 14/9. Photo: AFP |
Former president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro leaves a hospital in Brasilia on 14/9. Photo: AFP
Supporters of former president Bolsonaro had planned to hold a prayer gathering outside his residence. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro's son, urged crowds to gather, saying: "Come and fight with us".
"Will people fight for their country or just sit at home watching events unfold on their mobile phones," Flavio Bolsonaro questioned.
Former president Bolsonaro was sentenced in September to 27 years and three months in prison for masterminding a 2022 coup attempt to prevent the election victory of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro's legal team subsequently appealed, requesting he serve his sentence under house arrest, citing concerns that imprisonment would jeopardize his health. For the past two months, the Brazilian Supreme Court had not issued an arrest warrant for Bolsonaro while reviewing the appeal.
