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

The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.

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

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

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