Jair Bolsonaro detained after being considered a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration 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 magistrate's ruling was the potential of his transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
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 domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to murder the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on the eighth of January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.