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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

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

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who serves 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 online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

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

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.