Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments emerged.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, his son Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of the former president's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred 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 targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.
