🔗 Share this article

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

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

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his child.

His child, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of the former president's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to kill the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and return him to office.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.