Bolsonaro detained after being considered a escape threat
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and given more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This included trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight 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 gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's decision was the potential of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader Donald Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.