The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The ex-president was sentenced of planning a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers 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 chance of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
