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

The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.

This included attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.

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

But a following week, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

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

The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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