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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in September and given more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.

This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing 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 assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the chance of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

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

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.