The former Brazilian president arrested after being deemed a escape threat

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This included trying to remove his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

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

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could seek divine intervention 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 chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the United States 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 provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

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

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was stopped because it didn't receive the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised official structures in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.