The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of planning a government overthrow in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.
This included trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The judges found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.