The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed 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 was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.
The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.
