Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being considered a escape threat

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Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet 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 congressional representative, called for a assembly of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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

They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The plot was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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

Lori Hill
Lori Hill

A certified personal trainer with over a decade of experience in strength conditioning and sports nutrition.