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

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments emerged.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a document approving the arrest, the judge said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

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

His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of his "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.

International Reactions

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

He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

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

The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years 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 presidential election.