Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was stopped because it didn't receive the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and return him to office.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
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 court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 national vote.
