Bolsonaro taken into custody after being declared a flight risk
Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of his move to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.