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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

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

They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.