Court orders Bolsonaro's arrest after suspicion that he tried to remove electronic bracelet

Brazil’s Supreme Court on Saturday ordered the pre-trial detention of former president Jair Bolsonaro, just days before he was due to begin serving a 27-year prison sentence for leading an attempted coup.

Bolsonaro was taken to the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília. The judge overseeing the case, Alexandre de Moraes, said the arrest “must be carried out with all due respect for the dignity of former president Jair Messias Bolsonaro, without the use of handcuffs and without any exposure to the press”. The ruling also refers to an alleged attempt to remove his electronic ankle bracelet, suggesting an “intention” to potentially “escape”.

"The information confirms the convict's intention to break the electronic anklet in order to guarantee the success of his escape," Moraes said, as quoted by O Globo.

The arrest took place at around 6am on Saturday morning, a few hours after Moraes made the unexpected decision, Bolsonaro's aide Andriely Cirino confirmed to AP.

The 70-year-old former president was taken from his home in a gated community in the affluent Jardim Botânico neighbourhood and transferred to the Federal Police headquarters, Cirino added.

Supporters of Bolsonaro, who claim he is being politically persecuted, are expected to gather outside the Federal Police building over the weekend for a vigil.

Bolsonaro had been placed under house arrest at the beginning of August, weeks before he was convicted in a trial over the attempted coup. His lawyers had asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his sentence at home, citing health issues.

According to local media, the former president, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was expected to begin his prison term next week, after exhausting all appeals against his conviction.

Saturday’s pre-trial detention does not necessarily mean Bolsonaro will remain in the Federal Police facility to serve his sentence. Under Brazilian law, all convicts must begin serving their sentences in prison.

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