Jair Bolsonaro detained 'preparing to flee Brazil' as Donald Trump rages
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on Friday and tagged with an ankle bracelet over fears he could leave the country, according to local reports.
The Brazilian federal police served search warrants at his home and the headquarters of the Liberal Party on Friday, his press office said.
The police said in a statement that they had obtained the warrants from the country's Supreme Court but didn't name Bolsonaro, according to Reuters. It comes as Fox News fans declare it's the 'end of MAGA' as Donald Trump loses it in press conference.
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U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently pressed Brazil to end its legal case against Bolsonaro, stating that his former ally has been the victim of a "witch hunt."
Bolsonaro will reportedly be given an electronic ankle bracelet that will track his location and ultimately prevent him from leaving the country.
Bolsonaro was reportedly at his home in Brasília in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood when the police came knocking.
In addition to the 24-hour monitoring, Bolsonaro will also will also have his access to social media revoked and be barred from communicating with his son, Eduardo.
He'll be required to remain at home between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and is also forbidden from communicating with foreign ambassadors and diplomats and any other defendants being investigated by the Supreme Court.
A statement from the federal police obtained by CBN reads, "The Federal Police carried out, this Friday (18/7), in Brasília, two search and seizure warrants, in addition to precautionary measures other than arrest, in compliance with the decision of the Supreme Federal Court, within the scope of PET No. 14129."
On Thursday, Trump penned a letter that was posted to his Truth Social account to Bolsonaro expressing his support for the former Brazilian president.
"I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you. This trial should end immediately!" Trump wrote, then highlighted Bolsonaro's polling numbers and alleged popularity with the Brazilian people, accusing Brazil of limiting free speech with the case against Bolsonaro.
The tariffs Trump slapped on Brazil, he said, are, in part, because of his disapproval over what's happening to Bolsonaro. He added that it's his "sincere hope" that the Brazilian government "changes course, stop attacking political opponents, and ends their ridiculous censorship regime."
Bolsonaro claps back with statement
Following his arrest, Bolsonaro told reporters that he "never thought about leaving Brazil," according to a translation of a video clip of the press gaggle.
"In my opinion, the goal is supreme humiliation," he added, slamming the cases against him.
Why is Bolsonaro on trial?
The prosecution accuses the former president of leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to stage a coup and attempting violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, among other charges.
The defense will next present its case shortly, likely in the coming weeks, after which the panel of Supreme Court justices that opened the trial against Bolsonaro will vote on whether to convict or acquit him. Experts say a decision is expected in the second half of the year.
A guilty verdict on the coup plot charge carries a sentence of up to 12 years, which could, along with guilty verdicts on other charges, bring decades behind bars.
Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied the allegations and asserted that he’s the target of political persecution.