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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office 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 digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and return him to office.

At the moment, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.