🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His child, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.