🔗 Share this article

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could enable a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.

The police stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.