The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a government overthrow in September and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, causing him to implement a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, the capital city.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.
