Brazil’s Ex-President Bolsonaro Jailed Over Alleged Escape Plot

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been moved to a federal prison following a Supreme Court order approving his preemptive arrest over an alleged plan to flee the country.

The order, issued on Saturday, November 22, came from Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who ruled that the 70-year-old former leader was making arrangements to escape Brazil ahead of the commencement of his 27-year prison sentence. Bolsonaro is expected to begin serving the sentence for his role in orchestrating an attempted coup aimed at overturning the country’s 2022 election results.

Authorities said intelligence reports indicated Bolsonaro had been working with close allies to secure a route out of the country, prompting urgent action by the court.

His transfer to prison marks one of the most dramatic turns in Brazil’s political history, as the former president continues to face multiple investigations linked to his time in office and the violent attacks on democratic institutions by his supporters.