Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The ex-president was convicted of planning a armed takeover in September and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.
