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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

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

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.

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

The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.