Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after being determined a 'concrete flight risk' while under house arrest. The right-wing former Brazilian president was found guilty of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced to more than 27 years in prison, but he remains under house arrest pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old was a preventative measure after 'new facts' came to light. Bolsonaro admitted he had tried to open his ankle monitor with a soldering iron - but denied he wanted to remove it. Court officials said he wanted to use a planned rally outside his house as a cover to break free.
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former president's 'intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape'. This, it said, would be 'facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son'.
Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's home. He said the vigil would enable supporters to 'pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country'. The senator wrote on social media: 'Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us.'
Justice Moraes cited the possibility of Bolsonaro fleeing to foreign embassies, noting a history of planning to request asylum. Bolsonaro's legal challenges have notably stirred political tensions, prompting international repercussions, including a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Currently held in a police station in Brasilia, Bolsonaro will undergo a custody hearing soon, intensifying attention on his legal situation and Brazil's political climate.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old was a preventative measure after 'new facts' came to light. Bolsonaro admitted he had tried to open his ankle monitor with a soldering iron - but denied he wanted to remove it. Court officials said he wanted to use a planned rally outside his house as a cover to break free.
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former president's 'intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape'. This, it said, would be 'facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son'.
Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's home. He said the vigil would enable supporters to 'pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country'. The senator wrote on social media: 'Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us.'
Justice Moraes cited the possibility of Bolsonaro fleeing to foreign embassies, noting a history of planning to request asylum. Bolsonaro's legal challenges have notably stirred political tensions, prompting international repercussions, including a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Currently held in a police station in Brasilia, Bolsonaro will undergo a custody hearing soon, intensifying attention on his legal situation and Brazil's political climate.
