Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His son, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of the former president's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.