The former Brazilian president detained after being declared a risk of fleeing
Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor 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 child, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from running for public office until twenty-sixty - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.