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

The former head of state was sentenced of planning a military coup in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns

In a document approving the custody, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

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

His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.