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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.

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

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

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

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

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of the former president's move to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

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

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that the former president be permitted to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

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

But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.