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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.

This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the judge said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his child.

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

The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US 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 right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

He is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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

They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.