Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being deemed a escape threat
The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
He was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. The current president was took office without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, the capital city.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.