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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information came to light.

This encompassed seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."

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

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also requested that the former president be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

The former president was found guilty of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, the capital city.

The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were detained.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.