Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday and moved to police headquarters in Brasília. This happened two months after the Supreme Court convicted him of trying to stage a coup following his defeat in the 2022 election.

In September, the court sentenced him to 27 years and three months in prison for the failed plot. However, his spokesman, Fabio Wajngarten, said the latest detention was not connected to enforcing that sentence. Instead, it was a preventive step taken by authorities.

Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since August. His lawyer confirmed that he was transferred to detention over the weekend.

Lawyer Says Reason for Detention Unclear

Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Celso Vilardi, told AFP that he had little information about the sudden move.
“He has been imprisoned, but I don’t know why,” Vilardi said. He repeated the same line to AFP, underscoring his confusion about the situation.

Bolsonaro has not yet begun serving his September sentence. His appeal process and other legal challenges are still ongoing. Officials also clarified that Saturday’s detention is not directly tied to that conviction.

Supporters Gather as Tensions Grow

Bolsonaro’s supporters had planned a nighttime vigil outside the luxury condominium where he had been living under house arrest. His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, urged people to join the protest.
In a social media video, he asked, “Are you going to fight for your country or are you going to watch everything on your mobile phone while sitting at home on your sofa? Come and fight with us.”

Speculation about a new arrest had grown throughout the week. Many of his allies expressed anger over reports that he might be taken to Papuda, a maximum-security prison in Brasília.

Lula’s Camp Welcomes the Move

Supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reacted positively to Bolsonaro’s detention.

Workers’ Party MP Reimont Otoni said the decision sends a strong message.
“The message to Brazil, and to the world, is that crime doesn’t pay,” he said. Otoni also pointed out that Bolsonaro’s alleged coup plan included a plot to assassinate Lula.