🔗 Share this article

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.

His son, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.