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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.

His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

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

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

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

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.