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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to murder the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and return him to office.

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

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.