The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
The former president was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.
