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 former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the possibility of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, causing him to enact a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.

Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins

A tech journalist with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society, based in Berlin.