Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after fresh information came to light.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.
