The former Brazilian president detained after being declared a risk of fleeing

The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.

His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers 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 nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."

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

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to murder the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, 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 ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.