Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being deemed a risk of fleeing
Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This included attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.