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

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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

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

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.

Lisa White
Lisa White

Lena is a freelance journalist specializing in Dutch urban culture, history, and community stories. She has been reporting on Tilburg for over a decade.