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

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

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

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

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

The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

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

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.