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Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.

This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

The security forces intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.