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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.

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

His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

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

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. The current president was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, many his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.