Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being considered a flight risk

Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

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

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

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

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.