The former Brazilian president detained after being considered a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This included trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the chance of his "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, the capital city.
The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.