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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments emerged.

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

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.

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

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of his move to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, many his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.