Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite 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."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
He was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.
