Bolsonaro arrested after being deemed a risk of fleeing
The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.
This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on the eighth of January, many his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.