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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This included attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

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

They also asked that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.

The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.