🔗 Share this article

Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This included trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

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

Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.

The police intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.