Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a military coup in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of his move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a record of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, prompting him to implement a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, many his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
