Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being declared a risk of fleeing
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his backers stormed and vandalised official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.