The former Brazilian president arrested after being deemed a escape threat

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Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.

This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the judge said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to murder his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.

The judges found that the rioters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.

Tyler Gray
Tyler Gray

Passionate gamer and writer exploring game mechanics and storytelling since 2015.