🔗 Share this article

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

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

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, Brasília.

The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.