The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The ex-president was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said information from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the potential of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brasilia, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of heading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plan which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The plot was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. The current president was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.
