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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

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

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

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.

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

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.