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

The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.

This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.

His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, causing him to implement a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on 8 January, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.

The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.