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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a military coup in last fall and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray 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 potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also requested that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.