The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a armed takeover in last fall and given more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.
This involved attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the moment, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.
