Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that he be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.
