The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being considered a escape threat

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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? 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 reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.

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

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

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

Randy Green
Randy Green

A tech journalist with a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies across global markets.