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

The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.

This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state'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 son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a detention review on the next day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

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

The judges found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, 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 over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later 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 running in the 2026 presidential election.