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Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Court Filing Details Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.

The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

He was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

The police stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The judges found that the rioters had been provoked by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.