🔗 Share this article Bolsonaro detained after being declared a flight risk Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention. The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in last fall and given more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals. Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed. This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight. Court Filing Details Escape Risks In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight. This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring. His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night. Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us." He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation." Embassy Asylum Concerns Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said. The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence. International Reactions Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods. He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day. Latest Court Petitions It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices. They also petitioned that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems. Background on Conviction The former president was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula. Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings. The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023. But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, BrasÃlia. The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody. The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and return him to office. At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe". He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment. The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.