Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a detention review on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that he be permitted to leave his home for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
