Bolsonaro detained after being considered a risk of fleeing

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was convicted of planning a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His child, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the potential of his "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.