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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

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

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.