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

The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.

This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

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

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

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

The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.