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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, many his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.