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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.

His child, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

His son 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 fight 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 country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.