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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of planning a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, 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 thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.

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

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.

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