Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments came to light.
This encompassed attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, the judge said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the tracking monitor to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which included plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The security forces intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.
