The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.
