Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a armed takeover in September and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.
