🔗 Share this article

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. The current president was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.