Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.
This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The security forces intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.
