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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in September and given more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.

His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of the former president's transfer to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be permitted to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.