Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of planning a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, many his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.