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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The ex-president was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.

This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

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

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

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? 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 restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.

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

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also requested that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

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

The justices 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 bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.