Brazil’s Bolsonaro to meet a judge a day after his early arrest

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is set to meet with a judge on Sunday to deliberate the legality of his preemptive imprisonment at federal police headquarters in Brasilia. This meeting follows Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ order for Bolsonaro’s detention on Saturday, citing him as a flight risk after his ankle monitor was reportedly violated early that morning. Bolsonaro’s incarceration comes just before he is due to begin a 27-year prison sentence, following a September ruling by Brazil’s Supreme Court that he attempted to orchestrate a coup to retain the presidency after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The same judicial panel will review the preemptive arrest order on Monday. Despite procedural nature of Sunday’s meeting, Bolsonaro’s legal team plans to argue for house arrest based on his health concerns, a request previously denied by Justice de Moraes. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro has been permitted visits from his wife, former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, who was absent during his arrest. President Lula commented on the situation at the G20 meeting in South Africa, affirming the court’s decision and Bolsonaro’s actions. Outside the police headquarters, reactions were mixed, with supporters demanding the removal of Lula and de Moraes, and opponents celebrating Bolsonaro’s detention.