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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.

This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His child, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.

The justices found that the rioters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also barred from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.