Jair Bolsonaro detained after being deemed a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which included plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.