Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being declared a flight risk

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Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was convicted of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

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

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of his move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan 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 overseeing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

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

David Garcia
David Garcia

Award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering international politics and social justice issues.