Brazil’s Former President Jair Bolsonaro Nears Final Stage of Legal Process — Arrest Could Be Issued at Any Moment

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  Newsroom

• November 17, 2025

• Newsroom

Brazil’s Former President Jair Bolsonaro Nears Final Stage of Legal Process — Arrest Could Be Issued at Any Moment

Brazil has entered a historic moment in its democratic trajectory. After the Supreme Federal Court unanimously rejected Jair Bolsonaro’s final appeal, the legal process against the former president has officially moved into its decisive phase.

With all suspensive appeals exhausted, experts say the arrest order could be issued within days or weeks — not months.

What happens now?

• The STF will publish the final ruling

• The case rapporteur will authorize enforcement

• Federal authorities will execute the arrest order

• A custody hearing will follow immediately

Where could Bolsonaro serve his sentence?

Analysts point to a few likely scenarios:

• Federal Police headquarters in Brasília (most common for high-profile political detainees)

• A federal penitentiary, depending on security assessments

• House arrest, which Bolsonaro may request citing health issues — though this is not expected to be granted at the start of the sentence

Why the timeline is so short?

Bolsonaro is currently under strict monitoring, with restricted movement and 24/7 surveillance due to concerns about potential flight risk. Once the STF finalizes its administrative steps, enforcement can be immediate.

A historic moment for Brazil

If the arrest is carried out, it will be the first time in Brazilian history that a former president is imprisoned for crimes related to an attempted coup.

This development is expected to spark:

• Reorganization within conservative political blocs

• National and international reactions

• Renewed discussions about institutional safeguards and democratic accountability

Brazil now faces a defining chapter — one that will shape its political landscape and test the strength of its democratic institutions.