Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The ex-president was sentenced of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This encompassed seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His son, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of his move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the next presidential race.
