Jair Bolsonaro detained after being deemed a flight risk
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.
This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.