The former Brazilian president arrested after being deemed a escape threat

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Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His son, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of the former president's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

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

The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

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

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years 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 next presidential race.

Mark Bond
Mark Bond

A London-based arts journalist with a passion for uncovering emerging creative talents and cultural movements across the UK.