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Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in September and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.

His son, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of his move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.

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

The police took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

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

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.