The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a military coup in last fall and given more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His son, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to murder the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was sworn in without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The former president called the court case a targeted investigation" and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
