Jair Bolsonaro detained after being declared a flight risk

Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in September and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.