Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody by federal police in Brasília, marking one of the most dramatic turns yet in Brazil’s ongoing political turmoil. The arrest occurred early Friday morning after police arrived at his residence with a court order authorizing his immediate detention.
Authorities confirmed that the order was issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has overseen several investigations involving Bolsonaro and his allies. Moraes cited concerns that Bolsonaro had attempted to tamper with his electronic ankle bracelet, raising fears he might try to flee the country.
Bolsonaro, who had been under house arrest since August, was escorted from his home just after dawn and transported directly to the Federal Police headquarters in the capital. A convoy of patrol vehicles and unmarked cars escorted the former president as crowds gathered along the route.
His legal troubles stem from a series of cases tied to the aftermath of the 2022 presidential election, which Bolsonaro lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors have accused Bolsonaro of encouraging unrest, undermining democratic institutions, and attempting to cling to power after his defeat.
Earlier this year, Brazil’s Supreme Court handed down a 27-year prison sentence after finding Bolsonaro guilty of participating in a plot to overturn the election results. The former president has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains that he is being targeted for political reasons.
Despite the court ruling, Bolsonaro had remained at home under electronic monitoring while his legal team pursued appeals. According to investigators, recent evidence suggested he was preparing to violate those restrictions, prompting the swift order to detain him.
The arrest has already sent shockwaves across Brazil, where Bolsonaro retains a large and loyal base of supporters. Demonstrators quickly began gathering in several cities, some demanding his release, while others called for the justice system to be respected.
Government officials have urged Brazilians to remain calm, reminding the public that the arrest follows formal legal procedures and is not the result of political retaliation. They emphasized that all actions taken by authorities are being carried out under judicial oversight.
Bolsonaro’s attorneys issued a brief statement criticizing the arrest and claiming that the former president has complied with all monitoring requirements. They vowed to challenge the order and continue fighting his conviction through every available legal channel.
As Bolsonaro remains detained, the federal police are expected to release additional details about the next steps in the process. The arrest represents a pivotal moment for Brazil, highlighting the deep political divisions still gripping the nation and raising new questions about the country’s immediate future.
