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Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

This involved seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.

His child, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his move to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

He was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and return him to office.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from running for public office until twenty-sixty - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.

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