🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a document approving the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his child.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health 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 foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.

The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

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

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.