The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being deemed a risk of fleeing
Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Donald Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.