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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.

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

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of his "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, Brasília.

The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.