The former Brazilian president arrested after being declared a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and given more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.
This included attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, 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 last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of his move to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of leading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and return him to office.
At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.