Bolsonaro detained after being considered a flight risk

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also barred from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.