The former Brazilian president detained after being deemed a risk of fleeing

Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

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

The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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 targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.