Bolsonaro detained after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in September and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, causing him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, Brasília.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.