Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a escape threat

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

The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a detention review on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to murder his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

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

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army 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 prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.

Matthew Thornton
Matthew Thornton

A passionate travel writer and photographer who has explored over 50 countries, sharing stories and tips to inspire wanderlust.