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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 one-time leader was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.

Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.

This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his getaway".

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

His son, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of his move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the following day.

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.

The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.

The justices found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.

The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.