The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers 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 ruling was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to enact a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
