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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

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

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of the former president's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

He was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.

The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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

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.