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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

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

His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

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

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also barred from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.