The former Brazilian president arrested after being deemed a flight risk
Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.