Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, his son 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 observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of his "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also requested that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.
