The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.
