Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being declared a escape threat
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was convicted of planning a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of his transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.