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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, many his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, the capital city.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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