The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being considered a risk of fleeing

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

The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice 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. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, Brasília.

The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the time, 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 end of his sentence.

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.

Daisy Jones
Daisy Jones

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through actionable advice and inspiring stories.