The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a risk of fleeing
The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This included trying to remove his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being 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 dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
He was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.