Jair Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in September and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the time, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 national vote.
