Bolsonaro arrested after being declared a escape threat
The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. The current president was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.