Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.
This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to enact a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
He was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to assassinate his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.
