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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 one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of the former president's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.