🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the possibility of the former president's move to embassies near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, leading him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The judges found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.