Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being declared a flight risk

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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.

This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.

His child, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the possibility of the former president's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.

Harold Mann
Harold Mann

Award-winning journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter in today's fast-paced media landscape.