Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The ex-president was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to enact a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High 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 leave his home for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
