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Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.

The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.

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

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brasília.

The police took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

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

The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.