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

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.

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

The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, the capital city.

The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the time, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.