Bolsonaro taken into custody after being deemed a escape threat
Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, 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.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.