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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

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

His son, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.