The former Brazilian president detained after being deemed a flight risk
Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of planning a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information came to light.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring 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 "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next 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 house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control 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 assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.