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

The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.

This encompassed seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a paperwork permitting the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.

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

His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

International Reactions

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

The former president was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.

The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, the capital city.

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

The judges found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also banned from running for public office until twenty-sixty - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.