Bolsonaro taken into custody after being deemed a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of his move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also requested that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. The current president was took office without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.