Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after recent developments were revealed.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the protest called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a plot which encompassed plans to murder Lula 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 Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, many his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.
