Brazil's convicted ex-president detained over fears of escaping from house arrest

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was detained by federal police on Saturday shortly before a planned rally at his home, ending his house arrest. Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the detention out of fears that camp supporters would obstruct police monitoring of the house arrest.

Bolsonaro had also reportedly previously considered seeking asylum at the Argentine embassy while his loved ones, including his son Flavio, left the country. The defense claims the rally was meant to be peaceful and they plan to appeal.

The former president was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. He has not yet exhausted all avenues of appeal. He has been under house arrest for more than 100 days for violating precautionary measures in another case in which he allegedly sought U.S. intervention to halt criminal proceedings against him.

Donald Trump has described the actions of the Brazilian courts as a "witch hunt" and has responded with sanctions and tariffs. Bolsonaro, who has been suffering from health problems since being attacked with a knife in 2018, could seek to serve his sentence under house arrest.

A Supreme Court panel will rule on his current detention on Monday. Meanwhile, Flavio Bolsonaro has called on citizens to protest in order to "save Brazil". Bolsonaro is banned from using social networks, but regularly receives political visits.

(reuters, max)