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

The ex-president was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a paperwork permitting the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

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

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

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

But a following week, on the eighth of January, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

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

The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

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

The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.