🔗 Share this article

Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

His son, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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