The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, 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 failed to get the support of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, Brasília.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The judges found that the protesters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.