The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a escape threat
Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.
This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, the judge said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of his move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.