🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

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

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.

His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.