The former Brazilian president arrested after being deemed a risk of fleeing
The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
