Bolsonaro detained after being declared a flight risk
Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.