Jair Bolsonaro taken into custody after being declared a flight risk

Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his child.

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

He is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

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

The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and return him to office.

At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.