The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a flight risk

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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was sentenced of planning a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information came to light.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of his transfer to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

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

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

Christine Jensen
Christine Jensen

Eleanor is a freelance journalist and culture critic based in London, covering art, design, and independent creators across the UK.