Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers 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 homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.
