Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a military coup in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.
