The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. The current president was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 national vote.
