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

The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.

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

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the chance of his transfer to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

The police stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, 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 conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.