Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than over two decades in prison, but he remained under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.
This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
He was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The security forces stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.
