🔗 Share this article

The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after fresh information were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of the former president's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, 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 conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.