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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.

This involved seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

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

His child, his son Flávio, who serves 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: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised official structures in the capital, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The former president called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.