Bolsonaro detained after being declared a flight risk

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of the former president's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.