Bolsonaro taken into custody after being deemed a risk of fleeing
Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in September and given more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that the former president be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, many his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the capital, Brasília.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.