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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This included attempting to break his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.

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

His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

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

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.

The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and return him to office.

At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.