Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in September and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, the magistrate 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 getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His son, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
