🔗 Share this article

Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers 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 observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.