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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of planning a military coup in last fall and given more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

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

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.