🔗 Share this article

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

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This included attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which included plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.