Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after "new facts" emerged.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could facilitate a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plan which included plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.
The scheme was stopped because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The judges found that the rioters had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.
