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

The one-time leader was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

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

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

His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

He was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.

The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.