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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was convicted of planning a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His child, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which included plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brasília.

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

The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the moment, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.