The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of planning a military coup in September and given more than 27 years in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.
This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the custody, the judge said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, leading him to enact a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.
