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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also banned from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.