The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a flight risk

placeholder news image

Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of planning a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

His son, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He 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 last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

He was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.

Maria Rodriguez
Maria Rodriguez

Elara Vance is a digital marketing strategist with over a decade of experience helping brands optimize their online visibility and engagement.