Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of his "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability 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 the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
