The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of planning a government overthrow in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of his transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, prompting him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, the capital city.
The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
