Jair Bolsonaro detained after being declared a risk of fleeing
The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.
This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience 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 asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.