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Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

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

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.

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

The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.