The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.
This included attempting to break his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of his "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to assassinate his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.
