The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a risk of fleeing
Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the period, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
