Jair Bolsonaro detained after being deemed a risk of fleeing

Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.

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

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being held 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 ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brasília.

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

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.