The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being deemed a flight risk
Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The former head of state was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power 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 plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.