Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being deemed a escape threat
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.
This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of his move to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
He was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.