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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a document approving the custody, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.

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

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

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

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

The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.