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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of planning a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

His offspring, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of the former president's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.

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

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.