Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.
