The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The former head of state was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of his transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the national capital, Brasília.
The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
