Jair Bolsonaro detained after being declared a escape threat

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Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of planning a military coup in September and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after fresh information were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.

Glen Aguilar
Glen Aguilar

Eleanor is a personal finance enthusiast and seasoned blogger who loves uncovering the best deals to help Brits save money effortlessly.