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Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

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

His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He 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 the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.

The police stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

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

At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.