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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.

The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.

This involved seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".

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

His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.

Recent Legal Requests

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

They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.

The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.

At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.