Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the custody, the judge said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.
