Bolsonaro detained after being declared a escape threat
Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after fresh information came to light.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was convicted of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.