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 orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after recent developments were revealed.
This involved seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil 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 the magistrate's ruling was the potential of his transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election.
