The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a escape threat
Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a military coup in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.