Brazil‘s Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Prison Sentence Amid Flight Concerns
Brasรญlia, Brazil – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving aโค 27-yearโค prison sentence afterโ the Supreme court of โคBrazil rejected his final appeal, escalating a dramatic legal saga that threatens to reshape the country’s political โคlandscape. The ruling โcomes after Bolsonaro was detained forโค allegedly attempting to tamper with โขan electronic โankle monitor while underโ house arrest.
the case centers onโ accusations that Bolsonaro and his allies attemptedโข to undermine Brazil’s democraticโ institutions following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.The Supreme Court’s decision marks a meaningful moment for Brazilian democracy,signaling a โfirm stance against attempts to destabilize the country’s electoral process. The outcome impacts not only Bolsonaro’s political future but โขalso theโ fate of severalโ former members of his โขgovernance, some of whom have alreadyโ begunโ serving lengthy prison sentences.
Bolsonaro was initially under house arrest until Saturday, November 22nd, when he was transferred to police headquarters inโค Brasรญlia after damaging hisโ ankle โmonitor with a soldering iron, claiming โคhe acted out of “curiosity.” Supremeโ Court โฃjustice Alexandre de Moraesโฃ cited concerns that Bolsonaro was planning to flee the country, pointing โto the proximity of the U.S. Embassy and Bolsonaro’s โclose relationship with former โU.S. President Donald Trump โas potential indicators of an attempt to seek political asylum. Bolsonaro denied any intention to escape,attributing his โactions to “paranoia” triggered by medication.
The Supreme Court has โordered a military court to determine whether bolsonaro โฃshould be stripped of his rank โas a military captain. Five other defendants in the case, including a military generalโค and a former minister, have also commenced their prison sentences, ranging from 19 to 26 years. Meanwhile, โBolsonaro’s former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, sentenced to 16 years, has fled to the โUnited โคStates and is now a fugitive.
Bolsonaro will remain detained in a secure area within the police headquarters in Brasรญlia,designated as a safeโฃ spaceโค for prisoners or protected detainees. The unfolding situation continues to be closely monitored as Brazil navigates this unprecedented period in itsโ recent political history.