The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of planning a armed takeover in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on social media on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's determination was the possibility of his move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.
The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.
