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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.

This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.

Court Filing Details Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the arrest, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

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

His child, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

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

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Global Responses

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.

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

Recent Legal Requests

It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.

They also requested that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.

High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.

The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.

But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.

The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.

The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

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

The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.