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

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in September and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.

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

His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that the former president be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.

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

The judges found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

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

The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.