Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's ruling was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and return him to office.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.
