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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in September and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.

This encompassed seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

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

The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of his "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

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

He is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many his followers stormed and vandalised official structures in the capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.