Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The ex-president was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a detention review on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, many his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, the legal team called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred 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 intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
