The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.