The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his ideological adversary, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 national vote.
