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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

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

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of his transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

The former president was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, Brasília.

The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.