The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded 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 given more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could facilitate a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of the former president's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, the legal team called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited 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 participating in the 2026 presidential election.
