Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a flight risk
Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.