Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being considered a risk of fleeing

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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.

This included attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.

His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the possibility of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The judges found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from campaigning for office 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 intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.

Karina Martinez
Karina Martinez

A historian specializing in European monarchy and palace architecture, with over 15 years of research experience.