Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The ex-president was convicted of planning a armed takeover in last fall and given more than 27 years in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.
This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to murder the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
