🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a document approving the detention, the judge said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of the former president's transfer to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

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

They also requested that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

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

The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the time, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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