The former Brazilian president arrested after being considered a flight risk

The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his child.

His offspring, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the chance of his "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

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

The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also barred from running for public office until twenty-sixty - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.