Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This included attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
