🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

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

His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of his "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, 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 conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

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

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.

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

The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.