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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a military coup in last fall and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

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

They also requested that he be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.

The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.

The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.