Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro begins 27-year prison sentence for coup attempt

The supreme court justice determined on Tuesday that Bolsonaro’s defence had exhausted all appeals of his conviction

The far-right leader had been under house arrest since August (Luis Nova/AP)

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has started his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt, to the surprise of many in the South American nation who doubted he would ever end up behind bars.

Supreme court justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has overseen the case, ruled Bolsonaro will remain in custody after being pre-emptively arrested on Saturday.