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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was found guilty of plotting a military coup in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the arrest, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

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

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of his transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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 domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.