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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.

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

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was determined responsible of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without incident on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.