Bolsonaro detained after being declared a flight risk

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

The one-time leader was convicted of planning a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.

This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The police intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.

Tammy Blankenship
Tammy Blankenship

Dr. Eleanor Swift is a science communicator and researcher with a passion for making complex topics accessible to all.