The former Brazilian president detained after being declared a risk of fleeing

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Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.

This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of the former president's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.

Susan Lee
Susan Lee

A Canadian writer passionate about sharing local stories and cultural insights, with a background in journalism and community engagement.