Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to start serving his 27-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a coup, CNN reported. Bolsonaro, a close ally of former US President Donald Trump, was convicted in 2022 for conspiring to overthrow his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. His defense team opted not to file a final appeal, leading Justice Moraes to declare the ruling final and enforce the full sentence.

Bolsonaro has been held at Brazil’s Federal Police headquarters since Saturday after being detained for allegedly tampering with his court-ordered ankle monitor. Justice Moraes confirmed he would serve his sentence at the police facility. The former army captain, who lost the 2022 election to Lula, was convicted in September for attempting to prevent Lula from assuming office. The court found him guilty of five charges, including forming an armed criminal organization, attempting to dismantle democracy, and organizing a violent coup.

Bolsonaro, 70, had been under house arrest and was accused of trying to disable his electronic ankle monitor, which he had worn since August. The court reported he used a soldering iron on the device, labeling him a “high flight risk.” Video evidence released by the court showed the damaged monitor still strapped to his ankle, with Bolsonaro claiming he tampered with it out of “curiosity.” He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Trump criticized the case as a “witch hunt,” previously imposed punitive tariffs and sanctions on Brazil, and said he had spoken with Bolsonaro and intended to meet him soon. The US also revoked the visa of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the trial, and announced increased tariffs. Trump has expressed respect for Bolsonaro, noting they have previously worked together.