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The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.

This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns

In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.

His child, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.

Latest Court Petitions

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

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and return him to office.

At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.

He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.