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

The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement 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 offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of the former president's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.

The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 national vote.