The former Brazilian president taken into custody after being considered a flight risk

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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

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

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, the capital city.

The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the moment, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.

Robert Randolph
Robert Randolph

Jan de Vries is a seasoned sports journalist and former athlete with over 15 years of experience in competitive gaming.