The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a flight risk
Jair 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 convicted of planning a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of his move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
He was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.