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

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his escape.

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

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.