The former Brazilian president detained after being declared a flight risk
Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, many his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.
