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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 former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

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

The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the possibility of the former president's move to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

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

Context of Sentencing

The former president was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

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

The security forces took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The magistrates 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 time, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.