🔗 Share this article

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

The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.