The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
