Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.