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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.

His son, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also requested that he be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.