The former Brazilian president arrested after being deemed 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 former head of state was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in September and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. The current president was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.