The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a military coup in September and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of the former president's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a detention review on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the 2022 election to his political opponent, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many his backers stormed and vandalised official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
