Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being declared a risk of fleeing
Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that he be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of leading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, BrasĂlia.
The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
