🔗 Share this article

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

The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.

This included trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of his move to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

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

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.