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Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

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

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

His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

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

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.