Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being considered a escape threat
Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a military coup in last fall and given more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.
This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, the judge said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.