The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a escape threat
Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, 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 the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.