Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a flight risk

Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

His child, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.

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

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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 home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised official structures in the federal district, Brasília.

The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.