Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being declared a risk of fleeing

placeholder news image

Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

He is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

He was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the moment, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.

Shelby Murray
Shelby Murray

Elara is a Swiss art curator and writer with a passion for modern art movements and digital creativity.