🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.

This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, the capital city.

The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.