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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 one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in September and given more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

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

His son, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of his transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

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

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 national vote.