Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a flight risk
Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after fresh information were revealed.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited 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 court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.