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Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of the former president's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President Donald Trump, leading him to enact a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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

They also requested that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The police intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

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

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