Jair Bolsonaro Detained Amid Flight Risk Concerns

Sun Nov 23 2025 04:49:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is arrested after being deemed a flight risk while under house arrest. His recent activities raised concerns for the Brazilian Supreme Court, prompting immediate legal action.

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested on the basis of being a 'concrete flight risk' while serving time under house arrest. Following his conviction for plotting a coup, new evidence highlighted his intentions to escape custody, including attempts to disable his ankle monitor. The Supreme Court's Justice Moraes justified the decision amid fears of a potential assembly of his supporters leading to a distraction that could facilitate an escape. Bolsonaro's son has called for a public vigil near their residence, raising further concerns over the former president's safety and continued legal struggles.

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 said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former president's 'intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape'.

His son, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: '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.'

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's 'relocation to embassies near the residence', considering investigations revealed a history of planning to request asylum through diplomatic representation.

Bolsonaro's legal issues have drawn criticism internationally, and he is currently awaiting a custody hearing scheduled for Sunday.

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers filed a request to the Supreme Court for him to serve his entire jail sentence under house arrest with electronic monitoring.

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a conspiracy intended to maintain his power post his electoral defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. The Supreme Court ruled that he was involved in a plot that included plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential candidate.

Despite the serious accusations and sentence handed down, Bolsonaro claims the trial is politically motivated, aiming to thwart his chances in the 2026 presidential election.