The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being deemed a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.
The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the period, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.