Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.
