Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and given more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information were revealed.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement 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 confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of his move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a detention review on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to leave his home for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of leading a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brasília.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.