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Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.

His child, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a gathering of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of the former president's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.

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

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.

The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.