Bolsonaro detained after being declared a flight risk
Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the chance of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.