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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.

This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

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

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

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

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

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

But a week later, on the eighth of January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

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

The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.