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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.

This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.

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

The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of his move to embassies near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brasília.

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

The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and return him to office.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.