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The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.

High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.

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

Judicial Records Show Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.

His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.

Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."

He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.

The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.

The plot was stopped because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.

At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

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

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