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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.

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

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the judge said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

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

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, the legal team called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.