🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to murder the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brasília.

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.