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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.

This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.

His child, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

The law enforcement intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The judges found that the protesters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

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

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.