🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

His child, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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

They also petitioned that he be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, many his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.

The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.