The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being deemed a flight risk

Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The police took action 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, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

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

He was also barred from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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