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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of the former president's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also requested that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.