The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a flight risk
The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The ex-president was convicted of planning a military coup in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.
The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.
