🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.