Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his child.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be allowed to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.
