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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His offspring, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.

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

Global Responses

His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Judicial Appeals

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

They also petitioned that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

He was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

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

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

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.

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

He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.