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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was convicted of planning a government overthrow in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.

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

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of the former president's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder 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 military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.