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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.

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

His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the possibility of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.