The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of planning a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
