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

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

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

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

He is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.

The justices found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.