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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This included trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.

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

His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of the former president's move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

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

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.