The former Brazilian president arrested after being declared a risk of fleeing

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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.

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

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.

His son, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army 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 "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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

Audrey Osborne
Audrey Osborne

A London-based cultural critic and writer with a passion for contemporary arts and urban lifestyle trends.