🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was sentenced of planning a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This involved seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.

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

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. The current president was took office without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and return him to office.

At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.