The former Brazilian president detained after being declared a flight risk
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending court reviews.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to enact a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.