The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The former head of state was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His son, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's ruling was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.
