Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on digital networks on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a detention review on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
