The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was sentenced of plotting a armed takeover in last fall and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will experience a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.
