Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in last fall and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of his move to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plot which included plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, 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 prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.
