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

The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a military coup in September and given more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his flight.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or see 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 seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

He is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

He was convicted of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.