The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was prevented because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the time, the legal team called the decades-long sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.
