Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro taken into police custody

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro taken into police custody

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into federal police custody on Saturday, ending months of house arrest, , quoting his lawyer.

His lawyer, Celso Vilardi, confirmed the detention, Reuters reported, but did not disclose the reason. A source said it was a preventive measure concerning his house arrest conditions.

A federal police official confirmed that Bolsonaro was undergoing intake exams in Brasilia on Saturday morning.

Bolsonaro's 27-year sentence for coup plot

In September, Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for his role in a coup plot after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

He was found to be the leader and primary beneficiary behind a scheme to keep Lula from assuming office in 2023.

However, he hasn't begun serving his sentence as legal appeals are still pending.

Bolsonaro's house arrest and preventive detention

For over 100 days, Bolsonaro had been under strict house arrest for violating precautionary measures in another case.

He was accused of trying to get US interference to stop the criminal case against him.

This detention is not directly related to his coup conviction but is a precautionary measure, according to his spokesman Fabio Wajngarten.

Federal police confirmed that officers executed a preventive arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court.

Bolsonaro's supporters and critics react to detention

Bolsonaro's supporters had planned a vigil outside his luxury condominium, where he was under house arrest. His son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, urged followers to protest.

Meanwhile, President Lula's supporters welcomed the detention with MP Reimont Otoni saying "the message to Brazil... is that crime doesn't pay."

The reason for the preventive detention remains unclear, but local reports suggest it was to "maintain public order."