Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader Donald Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of heading 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 had knowledge of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The scheme was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until twenty-sixty - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
