Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year, three-month prison sentence, a move that followed his recent attempt to tamper with an electronic monitoring device.
The decision, issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, mandates an “initial closed regime” for Bolsonaro.
A warrant for his arrest was issued. It directs that the sentence be served at the Federal Police Regional Superintendency in a central district of Brazil, where he was already held.
Bolsonaro’s immediate detention on Saturday was triggered after he allegedly tried to break his electronic ankle monitor on Friday night.
Justice de Moraes deemed this action a potential flight risk. This escalated Bolsonaro’s house arrest to preventive detention.
Bolsonaro claimed in a video that he tampered with the device out of “curiosity.”
During a subsequent custody hearing, he attributed the incident to “paranoia” and “hallucinations” caused by a mix of medications. He denied any intention to flee.
The former president was convicted on September 11. Charges included armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, coup d’état, qualified damage, severe threat, and deterioration of listed heritage.
His legal team had sought house arrest or detention at the Federal Police superintendency. They cited health concerns.
Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since August 4. This decision was imposed for breaching precautionary measures by Justice de Moraes, even before his September conviction.
These legal issues stem from his actions following the 2022 presidential election.
Bolsonaro repeatedly questioned the integrity of electronic voting machines and encouraged anti-democratic protests.
Justice officials contend he devised plans to retain power and target political opponents. These included current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Justice de Moraes.
These events culminated in the January 8, 2023, attacks in BrasÃlia.
Thousands of his supporters invaded and vandalized the headquarters of Brazil’s Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace. This was an attempt to overturn the election results.
Separately, the Supreme Court also concluded proceedings for former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and former Brazilian Intelligence Agency director Alexandre Ramagem. Both had failed to file clarification appeals by Monday’s deadline.