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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the chance of the former president's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

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

The former president called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.