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

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.

His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to leave his home for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brasília.

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

The justices found that the rioters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.