Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of his transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
