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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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 court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.