The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in September and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's ruling was the potential of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which included plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.
