Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
He is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
