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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His child, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

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

But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.

The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.