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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."

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

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

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

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday 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 permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and return him to office.

At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.