🔗 Share this article

Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.

The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.