Brazil‘s Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Prison Sentence Amid Flight Concerns
Brasília, Brazil – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence after the Supreme court of Brazil rejected his final appeal, escalating a dramatic legal saga that threatens to reshape the country’s political landscape. The ruling comes after Bolsonaro was detained for allegedly attempting to tamper with an electronic ankle monitor while under house arrest.
the case centers on accusations that Bolsonaro and his allies attempted to undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.The Supreme Court’s decision marks a meaningful moment for Brazilian democracy,signaling a firm stance against attempts to destabilize the country’s electoral process. The outcome impacts not only Bolsonaro’s political future but also the fate of several former members of his governance, some of whom have already begun serving lengthy prison sentences.
Bolsonaro was initially under house arrest until Saturday, November 22nd, when he was transferred to police headquarters in Brasília after damaging his ankle monitor with a soldering iron, claiming he acted out of “curiosity.” Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes cited concerns that Bolsonaro was planning to flee the country, pointing to the proximity of the U.S. Embassy and Bolsonaro’s close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump as potential indicators of an attempt to seek political asylum. Bolsonaro denied any intention to escape,attributing his actions to “paranoia” triggered by medication.
The Supreme Court has ordered a military court to determine whether bolsonaro should be stripped of his rank as a military captain. Five other defendants in the case, including a military general and a former minister, have also commenced their prison sentences, ranging from 19 to 26 years. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, sentenced to 16 years, has fled to the United States and is now a fugitive.
Bolsonaro will remain detained in a secure area within the police headquarters in Brasília,designated as a safe space for prisoners or protected detainees. The unfolding situation continues to be closely monitored as Brazil navigates this unprecedented period in its recent political history.
