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Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his son.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the possibility of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

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

The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

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

The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.