Bolsonaro detained after being considered a flight risk

The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.

This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

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

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

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

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.