Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence after Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld his conviction for leading an attempted coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. His transfer to custody on Tuesday marked a moment many Brazilians doubted would ever come, Euronews reported.
Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since August and was taken into custody on Saturday after allegedly tampering with his ankle monitor. He claimed the incident was caused by «hallucinations,» a justification the court dismissed.
Federal police say Bolsonaro is being held in an isolated 12-square-meter room at their Brasília headquarters, equipped with a bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, a television and a desk. His lawyers and medical team have unrestricted access, while all other visitors require Supreme Court approval.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that Bolsonaro’s defense has exhausted all legal avenues to appeal his conviction. However, his legal team maintains it will continue seeking house arrest, citing health concerns. The judge has rejected the request but said the decision could be reconsidered if circumstances change.
Bolsonaro and several allies were convicted of orchestrating a plan to undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions after his electoral loss. The plot allegedly included encouraging unrest in early 2023 and planning attacks on President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Justice de Moraes.
South Korea puts its ousted leader on trial
In South Korea, former President Yoon Suk Yeol remains in detention as he faces multiple charges related to his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024. Yoon was impeached and removed from office after ordering security forces to restrict the National Assembly and accusing opposition lawmakers of collaborating with North Korea. His attempt to block legislative activity triggered a national crisis and ultimately led to his ouster.
He now faces charges including leading an insurrection, abuse of power, obstruction of official duties and violating security laws. A court issued an additional arrest warrant extending his detention, with prosecutors arguing he could interfere with evidence. Yoon has refused to answer investigators’ questions and insists the case is politically motivated.
He remains jailed while the legal process continues — the first time in South Korea’s history that a sitting or recently ousted president has been arrested during an ongoing trial.
To serve time — and write a book
In France, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted in an unrelated corruption case and served 20 days in jail earlier this year. Currently, Sarkozy, initially facing a five-year sentence before receiving conditional release, is preparing to publish a memoir titled «Prisoner’s Diary» in December, written during his time in detention.
