Jair Bolsonaro detained after being deemed a risk of fleeing
Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of the former president's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.