🔗 Share this article

Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and return him to office.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.