Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, causing him to enact a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which included plans to murder the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
