Jair Bolsonaro Arrested: A Major Turn in Brazil's Political Drama

Sun Nov 23 2025 04:51:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after being deemed a flight risk while under house arrest, intensifying the ongoing political turmoil in Brazil.

Jair Bolsonaro, the ex-president of Brazil, was arrested after being classified as a 'concrete flight risk'. This move comes after his conviction for plotting a military coup and underlined by new attempts to escape house arrest. As the political landscape shifts, Bolsonaro's actions and his son's call for a public vigil raise concerns about potential unrest.

Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after being determined a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The former Brazilian president was found guilty of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced to more than 27 years in prison, but he remains under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old was a preventative measure after new facts came to light.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could allow for a possible escape.

In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes stated information suggested Bolsonaro's intention to escape, potentially enabled by the chaos from a demonstration called by his son, Flávio Bolsonaro.

He stated on social media: Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us. This has raised alarms about a gathering of supporters near Bolsonaro's residence.

Justice Moraes's decision was heavily influenced by evidence of planning that indicated Bolsonaro's potential for moving to embassies in proximity to his home, hinting at efforts to seek asylum.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro's arrest has sparked reactions from global leaders, including pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, resulting in a 50% tariff on certain Brazilian imports.

As the situation evolves, Bolsonaro faces serious charges stemming from his involvement in a conspiracy to maintain power after losing the 2022 election. His legal team has recently sought to relax his conditions, requesting that he be allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest with electronic monitoring due to health concerns.