The defense of former president Jair Bolsonaro says – in a statement – that the preventive detention ordered this morning “causes deep perplexity”. Lawyer Celso Vilardi claims that Bolsonaro was arrested at home, wearing an electronic ankle bracelet, and that he was being watched by authorities. 
Vilardi emphasizes that Jair Bolsonaro’s health condition “is delicate and his arrest could put his life at risk.” He also says that the defense will present the appropriate appeal.
He adds that the prison is “based on a prayer vigil. The 1988 Constitution, correctly, guarantees the right to assembly for everyone, especially to guarantee religious freedom.”
Preventive detention
THE preventive detention of former president Jair Bolsonaro was carried out in compliance with a decision by the minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes, due to the call for a vigil, this Saturday (22), close to the residence where the former president was under house arrest.
According to Moraes, the meeting could cause turmoil and even facilitate “a possible escape attempt by the defendant.”
The STF minister states that the Federal District’s Integrated Monitoring Integration Center reported the occurrence of a violation of Bolsonaro’s electronic monitoring equipment in the early hours of this Saturday.
“The information confirms the condemned man’s intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape, facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son”, he adds.
Coup plot
Sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison in the criminal action of Core 1 of the coup plot, Bolsonaro and the other defendants could have their sentences carried out in the coming weeks.
Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August 4, determined after failure to comply with precautionary measures established by the STF. He was wearing an electronic ankle bracelet and was prohibited from accessing embassies and consulates, from maintaining contact with ambassadors and foreign authorities and from using social networks, directly or indirectly, including through third parties.
