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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

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

His son, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

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

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.