Jair Bolsonaro arrested after being declared a escape threat

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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.

This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the support of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, BrasĂ­lia.

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

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.

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