The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a escape threat
Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His son, his son FlƔvio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
FlƔvio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, many his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, BrasĆlia.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - 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 participating in the 2026 presidential election.
