Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of the former president's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
He was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which included plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.