🔗 Share this article

Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.

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

His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

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

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.