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

The ex-president was convicted of planning a armed takeover in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

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

His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

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

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.

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

Context of Sentencing

The former president was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

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

The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers 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 trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.