Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being considered a risk of fleeing
The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in September and given more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.