Former President Jair Bolsonaro Arrested Over Escape Plot

Brazil’s federal police arrested former president Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday, September 30, 2023, on suspicion of plotting to evade a 27-year prison sentence for his role in a coup attempt. In a dramatic turn of events, federal agents entered Bolsonaro’s residence early that morning. The arrest was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who cited a violation of the former president’s ankle monitor as a key reason for the preemptive action.

Bolsonaro, aged 70, had been under house arrest since August after being deemed a flight risk. Justice de Moraes stated that at 12:08 a.m. on Saturday, the monitoring device was breached. This prompted concerns that Bolsonaro might attempt to flee during a protest organized by his son, Flávio Bolsonaro, later that day. Flávio had called on supporters to gather outside his father’s home, urging them to “fight for your country” rather than remain passive.

Justice de Moraes characterized this potential escape attempt as a serious threat. He pointed out that Bolsonaro’s residence is located approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, a distance that can be covered within a 15-minute drive. According to de Moraes, there were precedents of other defendants in the coup case escaping to avoid incarceration.

In August, federal police discovered messages linking Bolsonaro to a request for political asylum in Argentina, where his ally Javier Milei currently serves as president. Bolsonaro’s legal team expressed confusion over the arrest, arguing that the ankle monitor was functioning correctly and that the alleged violation did not occur. They claimed the arrest was based on a vigil for prayer rather than a protest.

Political Implications and Reactions

The Supreme Court’s decision to arrest Bolsonaro will be discussed by a five-justice panel on Monday, October 2. Earlier, this panel had convicted Bolsonaro, sentencing him to prison by a vote of 4 to 1. The former president, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was found guilty of leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently overturn the democratic process following his election defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022.

Local media reported that Bolsonaro was expected to begin serving his sentence shortly after all appeals were exhausted. As news of the arrest spread, supporters of Bolsonaro’s political adversaries celebrated online, while a small group of protesters gathered outside the federal police headquarters in Brasilia. Organizers of the vigil mentioned by Bolsonaro’s lawyers planned to relocate their gathering to the police station.

Critics of Bolsonaro’s actions, including Justice de Moraes, condemned the former president’s behavior as reckless. In his ruling, de Moraes expressed concern that Flávio Bolsonaro’s video encouraged disrespect for constitutional norms and judicial decisions, indicating a broader disregard for democratic institutions.

Support and Defense from Allies

Bolsonaro’s allies quickly rallied to defend him. Fabio Wajngarten, a former press adviser and lawyer for Bolsonaro, described the arrest as a “terrible stain on the institutions” and expressed hope that it would be reversed soon. Wajngarten argued that the ankle monitor had been functioning normally hours before the arrest, raising questions about the validity of the claims against Bolsonaro.

Supporters within Congress, including Sóstenes Cavalcante, expressed solidarity with the former president, accusing Justice de Moraes of exhibiting a “psychopathy at the highest level.” Cavalcante promised that Bolsonaro’s allies would respond appropriately to what they perceived as an unjust action.

In a show of resilience, Michelle Bolsonaro, the former first lady, vowed that her husband’s supporters would not abandon their commitment to Brazil. As the country awaits further developments, analysts like Creomar de Souza from Dharma Political Risk and Strategy suggest that the arrest could have ramifications for the upcoming presidential election in 2026.

Bolsonaro’s legal troubles, characterized by intense scrutiny and political polarization, continue to shape Brazil’s political landscape as Lula prepares for a potential re-election campaign. The unfolding situation exemplifies the ongoing tensions between Bolsonaro’s faction and the current administration, highlighting the deep divisions within Brazilian politics.