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

The former head of state was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.

This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

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

His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

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

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.