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

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.

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

His offspring, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

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

The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.