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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.

This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.

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

The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.