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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.

The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.

Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.

This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his getaway".

This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.

His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.

His son wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

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

Foreign Shelter Risks

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.

The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.

Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.

The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. The current president was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.

But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, the capital city.

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

The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.

The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.