The former Brazilian president arrested after being declared a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the custody, the judge said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of his move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, numerous his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.