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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of planning a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.

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

His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

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

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to murder the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.