The former Brazilian president detained after being declared a flight risk

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Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.

His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

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

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

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

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.

Nathan Huynh
Nathan Huynh

A passionate writer and cultural analyst with a background in international relations, sharing unique insights on global affairs.